# Obuasi SHTS misconduct investigation and administrative bans > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/obuasi-senior-high-technical-school-misconduct-allegations > Updated: 2026-10-22T11:16:23.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 6. 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 However, Abdulai has since resigned as the Juaben Constituency Secretary for the NDC and withdrawn his chairmanship candidacy, stating an intention to focus on legal avenues to clear his name.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. ## Claims - The Ghana Education Service interdicted Zakaria Abdulai pending investigations. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni released a documentary titled ‘Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow’ regarding the allegations. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Zakaria Abdulai is the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Zakaria Abdulai resigned as NDC secretary for the Juaben Constituency. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The investigation has been transferred to Police Headquarters in Accra. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The number of students alleging sexual abuse by the suspended headmaster of Obuasi SHTS has risen to 19. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The Criminal Investigations Department is conducting an ongoing probe into the allegations. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Zakaria Abdulai, headmaster of Obuasi SHTS, has been arrested. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr. William Amankrah Appiah, has been directed to step aside. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, Kwamena Owusu-Nketiah, has been directed to step aside. (corroborated by 4 sources) - A rape complaint docket has been forwarded to the Attorney-General. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The Minister for Education directed the suspension of the headmaster. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-22: 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. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/obuasi-senior-high-technical-school-sexual-abuse-allegations ### 2026-10-20: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/obuasi-senior-high-technical-school-sexual-abuse-investigation ### 2026-10-20: 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. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ndc-orders-zakaria-abdulai-to-step-aside-from-chairmanship-race ### 2026-10-18: 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. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ghana-education-service-criticized-over-obuasi-shts-rape-case-delay ### 2026-10-15: 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. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ghana-parliament-demands-justice-in-obuasi-shts-abuse-case ### 2026-10-13: 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. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/obuasi-shs-headmaster-suspended-over-sexual-misconduct-allegations --- Cite as: Obuasi SHTS misconduct investigation and administrative bans. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/obuasi-senior-high-technical-school-misconduct-allegations