[REVISION HISTORY]

Obuasi SHTS misconduct investigation and administrative bans

Updated 18 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-22 18:02 UTC → 2026-10-22 23:47 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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 However, Abdulai has since resigned as the Juaben Constituency Secretary for the NDC and withdrawn his chairmanship candidacy, stating an intention to focus on legal avenues to clear his name.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. ~~He claimed in a radio interview that one accuser is between 20 and 21 years old and has a child.~~ The investigation has been transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Accra. ~~Safeguarding concerns have intensified, with civil society group Save~~ The scandal has prompted the ~~Mining Communities-Ghana (SMC-Gh) demanding urgent child protection reforms.~~ parliamentary Minority and the Minority Women’s Caucus to demand an independent inquiry to determine if political interference allowed earlier complaints to go unpunished.

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