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6 clusters · 22 sources · 9 days · First seen · Last updated

Obuasi SHTS misconduct investigation and administrative bans

Overview

Following allegations of sexual misconduct involving approximately 19 female students, Ghana’s Minister of Education ordered the immediate suspension of Zakaria Abdulai, the Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School. The directive followed investigative reporting by Manasseh Azure Awuni, whose documentary, ‘Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow’, suggested abuse may have spanned over a year. Political developments have shifted significantly. While the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had previously ordered Abdulai to withdraw his bid for the Juaben constituency chairmanship to avoid being “untenable” during a police investigation, the party has since reversed its decision, clearing him to contest the chairmanship race. This reversal drew criticism from human rights organizations such as RISE-Ghana. However, Abdulai has since resigned as the Juaben Constituency Secretary for the NDC and withdrawn his chairmanship candidacy, stating an intention to focus on legal avenues to clear his name. The NDC has since stated it will not interfere with the legal process, asserting it does not condone sexual misconduct. Following the suspension of party member Daniel Nortey for comments regarding the case, the NDC reiterated it will not interfere with law enforcement. In recent developments, the Ghana Police Service has arrested Abdulai, and the Ghana Education Service (GES) has interdicted him. To prevent interference with investigations, the GES has directed the Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr. William Amankrah Appiah, and the Obuasi East Municipal Director, Kwamena Owusu-Nketiah, to step aside effective immediately. Abdulai has been granted self-recognisance bail while awaiting court proceedings. The investigation has been transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Accra. The scandal has prompted the parliamentary Minority and the Minority Women’s Caucus to demand an independent inquiry to determine if political interference allowed earlier complaints to go unpunished.

Entities

Zakaria Abdulai · Ghana Education Service · Obuasi Senior High Technical School · National Democratic Congress · Obuasi Senior High Technical School

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 10 sources
    Obuasi SHTS sexual abuse scandal prompts calls for independent inquiry

    Ghanaian authorities and political leaders are calling for an independent probe into alleged sexual abuse at Obuasi SHTS involving headmaster Zakaria Abdulai, following reports of multiple victims.

  2. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Obuasi Senior High Technical School sexual abuse investigation

    The headmaster of Obuasi SHTS in Ghana has been arrested and interdicted amid investigations into sexual abuse allegations involving female students.

  3. [INTERNATIONAL] 16 sources
    Obuasi SHTS sexual abuse scandal triggers investigations and official suspensions

    Authorities in Ghana have suspended several education officials and interdicted the Obuasi SHTS headmaster following allegations of sexual abuse involving female students. Investigations are ongoing.

  4. [INTERNATIONAL] 12 sources
    Obuasi SHTS headmaster cleared by NDC to contest chairmanship amid abuse probe

    The NDC has cleared suspended Obuasi SHTS headmaster Zakaria Abdulai to contest a chairmanship race despite ongoing sexual abuse investigations involving 19 students.

  5. [POLITICS] 5 sources
    Obuasi SHTS head suspended amid sexual abuse allegations

    The headmaster of Obuasi SHTS, Zakaria Abdulai, has been suspended amid sexual abuse allegations. Calls are growing for a national child protection law and independent investigations into school safeguarding.

  6. [POLITICS] 6 sources
    Obuasi SHS Headmaster suspended over sexual misconduct allegations

    Ghana's Education Minister has suspended the Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Zakaria Abdulai, pending investigations into alleged sexual misconduct involving a female student.

Sources

3news.com · a1radioonline.com · adomonline.com · angelonline.com.gh · chale.news · dailyguidenetwork.com · ghanaguardian.com · ghananewss.com · kessbenonline.com · metrotvonline.com · myjoyonline.com · mynewsgh.com · nukunya.com · onuaonline.com · opemsuo.com · otecfmghana.com · oyerepafmonline.com · rainbowradioonline.com · starrfm.com.gh · thechronicle.com.gh · theghanareport.com · thevaultznews.com

This summary has been updated 18 times: see revision history