GES directs Ashanti, Obuasi Municipal East education directors to step aside over Obuasi SHTS sexual assault probe

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed the Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr William Amankrah Appiah, and the Obuasi East Municipal Director of Education, Kwamena Owusu-Nketiah, to step aside with immediate effect amid investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai.

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Relations at GES, Daniel Fenyi, management said the decision was intended to ensure that the ongoing investigations proceeded without potential interference or the perception of interference.

The two education directors have been instructed to hand over their offices and all state property in their possession to the Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Thomas Kwame Boateng.

The directive forms part of measures being taken by the Service as investigations into the allegations against the Obuasi SHTS headmaster continue.

GES has confirmed that Mr Abdulai remains interdicted pending the outcome of the investigations.

The Service has also urged the public to disregard reports suggesting that the headmaster has been cleared of the allegations.

“Management calls for calm, support and cooperation as thorough investigation into the matter continues,” the statement said.

GES has not announced a timeline for completing the investigations or indicated when the two directors may resume their duties.

The decision to ask the regional and municipal directors to step aside comes as the education authorities face growing scrutiny over the handling of the allegations and the protection of students in schools.

Mr Abdulai is facing allegations of sexual assault involving female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School.

The allegations were highlighted in an investigative documentary by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni titled Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, which examines claims of sexual abuse involving female students at the school.

The allegations have triggered public concern and renewed calls for stronger child protection measures and accountability within Ghana’s education sector.

However, the allegations remain subject to investigation, and no conclusion should be drawn regarding the culpability of those involved before the relevant processes are completed.

Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu directed the Ghana Education Service to interdict Mr Abdulai on October 13, pending investigations into the allegations.

The minister has also petitioned the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to investigate the matter.

The police investigation is expected to help establish the facts surrounding the allegations, while the GES continues its own administrative processes.

The Service has appealed for calm and cooperation as the investigations proceed, with the matter placing renewed attention on safeguarding students and ensuring accountability within Ghana’s schools.