Obuasi SHTS head accused of sexually abusing students is NDC Juaben secretary seeking chairmanship Source

News investigative correspondent Manasseh Azure Awuni has alleged that Zakaria Abdulai, the suspended headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School in the Ashanti Region, is the serving constituency secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and an aspirant for the constituency chairmanship position.

Manasseh made the disclosure on Joy FM on Thursday, October 15, 2026, while discussing excerpts from his latest investigative documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, which examines allegations of sexual abuse involving female students.

According to the investigative journalist, he learnt about the headmaster’s alleged political affiliations while conducting investigations within the community.

He said Mr Abdulai was reportedly preparing to contest the constituency chairmanship at the party’s delegates’ conference, expected to take place before the end of the year.

"This man [the headmaster], we are told, is the Juabeng Constituency Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress, and there are posters of him wanting to contest for the constituency chairman," Manasseh claimed.

The investigative journalist expressed concern over what he described as widespread awareness of the allegations within the community, including among some NDC members, alongside an apparent reluctance by people to speak publicly about the matter.

He said his interactions during the investigation suggested that reports of the alleged sexual abuse were already known to several people in the area.

Manasseh also cited the account of Frederick Addai, a former NDC constituency executive who reportedly spoke to him during the investigation.

"So, a former NDC constituency executive who spoke to me, Frederick Addai, says that, anytime the issue [the alleged sexual assault] came up, some members of the party tried to come together and tried to calm tempers and get the issues resolved," he said.

The account raises questions about how the allegations were handled by individuals who may have been aware of them. However, the claims remain allegations and are subject to investigation.

Manasseh further said that people within the school, as well as officials of the Ghana Education Service (GES) at the district and regional levels, had knowledge of the reports but failed to take what he considered adequate action.

He suggested that the headmaster’s position and possible connections to influential individuals may have contributed to the lack of effective action.

These assertions form part of the issues explored in the documentary, which examines the allegations against the headmaster and the response of people and institutions who may have been aware of the reported incidents.

The allegations have not, in the information provided, been established by a court, and the investigation is expected to determine the facts and any potential responsibility.

On October 13, 2026, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, directed the Ghana Education Service to suspend Mr Abdulai pending a full investigation into the allegations.

The minister also requested an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.

The suspension and police investigation are intended to facilitate inquiries into the reports involving female students at the school.

The case has drawn attention to the responsibilities of school authorities and education officials in responding to allegations of sexual abuse, particularly where students may be vulnerable and the person accused holds a position of authority.

The outcome of the GES and police investigations is expected to clarify the allegations against the headmaster and establish the facts surrounding the matter.