SHS Sex Probe Thickens: 19 GIRLS, ONE HEADMASTER

The suspended headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Mr. Zakaria Abdulai, has formally resigned from his position as the Juaben Constituency Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and withdrawn his candidature for the constituency chairmanship, vowing to clear his name as he faces allegations of sexual misconduct involving 19 female students of the school.

In a letter dated October 20, 2026, and addressed to the NDC General Secretary, Mr. Abdulai confirmed that both decisions take immediate effect. The embattled educator stated that he intends to devote his attention and resources to pursuing all lawful avenues to clear his name and vindicate his position.

“I wish to express my profound gratitude to my friends, relatives, and all well-wishers who have stood by me and maintained their faith in my innocence in the face of the allegations levelled against me and my office,” the letter reads. Mr. Abdulai added that he remains hopeful that once the matters are resolved, he will return to active political engagement. Copies of the resignation were sent to the NDC National Chairman and the Ashanti Regional Chairman. ‌ ‌

The resignation follows a directive from the NDC’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC) ordering him to step aside to allow for an unhindered criminal investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations. The FEC had initially decided not to disqualify him from the chairmanship race, citing the presumption of innocence, but later reversed its position in the interest of transparency and accountability, while stressing that the directive did not amount to a determination of the allegations. ‌ ‌ ‌

The sex allegations against Mr. Abdulai first gained widespread public attention following an investigative documentary by award-winning journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni titled “Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow”. According to the JoyNews investigation, the number of female students who have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment, assault, and rape rose from an initial figure of 16 to 19. A 20-year-old Form Two student, accompanied by her father, reportedly lodged a complaint with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Obuasi on August 4, 2026. ‌ ‌

The case has drawn condemnation from various stakeholders. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Women’s Organiser, Mavis Hawa Koomson, called for a swift, independent, and transparent investigation. “A child knows no political party colours. We must never subordinate the dignity, safety, and protection of our children to partisan considerations,” she stated. She also raised concerns over reports of possible intimidation of the affected students and their families.‌ ‌ ‌

The Parliament of Ghana’s Committee on Human Rights has also condemned the alleged abuse, calling for a speedy prosecution of the case. The Committee commended the Minister of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for the swift interdiction and suspension of Mr. Abdulai, urging the justice system to fast-track the prosecution and apply the maximum sentence if he is found guilty. Additionally, the Member of Parliament for Salaga South, Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, questioned why the suspended headmaster had not been arrested, stating that the documentary contained an admission of wrongdoing that should be enough to put him behind bars.‌ ‌

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has interdicted Mr. Abdulai with immediate effect, pending a full-scale investigation into the allegations, and he has been directed to hand over the management of the school to the Ashanti Regional Director of Education. The Minister of Education, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, has also directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to conduct a comprehensive criminal investigation into the matter.‌ ‌ ‌

While Mr. Abdulai maintains his innocence, the investigations into the allegations remain ongoing. The NDC has stated that its decision to have him step aside does not determine the merits of the allegations, which remain the responsibility of the police and the courts. For now, the former constituency secretary’s immediate focus is on clearing his name, with his letter expressing hope that he will “return to active political engagement and continue contributing to the ideals and aspirations of the NDC” once the matters are resolved