Obuasi SHTS head suspended amid sexual abuse allegations

Allegations of repeated sexual abuse involving Zakaria Abdulai, the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), have prompted calls for systemic reform and independent investigations in Ghana. Following reports that the alleged abuse spanned over a year, the Ghana Education Service has suspended Abdulai pending a full investigation, which will include a criminal probe by the Ghana Police Service.

Zakaria Abdulai is reportedly a serving constituency secretary for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and an aspirant for a chairmanship position. This political connection has led legal experts and observers to urge the NDC to dissociate itself from him to prevent individuals facing serious allegations from gaining further political influence.

In response to the scandal, the education think tank Eduwatch has called for an external investigation that examines all officials whose actions or omissions may have allowed the abuse to continue. Additionally, Akosua Manu, an adviser on gender and social protection, has advocated for a national child protection framework to provide students with confidential, safe channels to report misconduct without fear of retaliation from school authorities.