NDC Orders Obuasi SHTS Headmaster Zakaria Abdulai to Withdraw From Juaben Chairmanship Race Over Allegations
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has instructed the suspended headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, to abandon his bid for the party’s Juaben constituency chairmanship or risk being disqualified.
The party’s Deputy National Communications Director, Julius Anthony, announced the directive during an appearance on JoyNews’ *The Probe*, indicating that the national leadership had formally communicated its decision to Mr Abdulai.
“The party has directed; withdraw your attempts to contest for the chairmanship or be disqualified. That is the party’s position, well communicated to the headmaster,” he said.
Mr Anthony explained that the directive was linked to ongoing investigations by law enforcement agencies into allegations against the headmaster.
“Our rationale is simple: this person is currently being investigated by law enforcement agencies who essentially report to our government,” he stated.
Mr Abdulai, who also serves as the NDC’s Juaben constituency secretary, has come under public scrutiny following an investigative documentary by JoyNews journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
The documentary, titled *Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow*, examined allegations of sexual harassment, assault and rape involving female students of Obuasi SHTS. It also investigated how complaints against the headmaster were handled by school authorities and other relevant institutions.
On October 13, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to suspend Mr Abdulai pending a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
The minister also instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters to investigate the matter.
Findings presented in the documentary indicated that students, parents and teachers had lodged complaints with school management, education officials and other authorities before the headmaster’s suspension.
The investigation further raised concerns about alleged delays in addressing the complaints and possible interventions by influential individuals.
When approached by the investigative team for his response, Mr Abdulai declined to comment on the allegations, citing ongoing investigations by the police and the GES.
The allegations against the headmaster remain under investigation. Meanwhile, the NDC’s directive places his constituency chairmanship ambition in jeopardy as the party maintains its position pending the outcome of the ongoing inquiries.
