Haruna Iddrisu orders criminal probe into Obuasi SHTS headmaster

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service to launch a full-scale criminal investigation into Zakaria Abdulai, the suspended headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS). The directive follows the headmaster's interdiction by the Ghana Education Service (GES) on October 14, 2026, amid disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct. While initial reports suggested five victims, the scope of the investigation has expanded to include at least 19 female students who were allegedly targeted by the headmaster.

Speaking at a press conference on October 26, 2026, Mr. Iddrisu emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring the case is not "swept under the carpet" or allowed to fade from the public eye. He pledged that the Ministry of Education would pursue both administrative and legal accountability to the fullest extent of the law. The Minister also revealed that the Ministry is aware of similar reports of abuse dating back to 2021 and is focused on providing trauma-informed support for the affected students while ensuring robust protection for whistleblowers who came forward.

The scandal has triggered widespread condemnation from civil society organizations. The Network for Women's Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT) expressed shock at the predatory behavior detailed in an investigative documentary by Manasseh Azure Awuni, demanding immediate prosecution. Similarly, Plan International Ghana has called for an independent inquiry that looks beyond individual culpability to address broader institutional failures. Gender Data Ghana has gone further, urging the abolition of GES policies that allow for internal investigations and the mere transfer of accused staff, arguing that such practices are unconstitutional and fail to protect children.

Administrative tensions have also surfaced, with Yaw Opoku Mensah, a former spokesperson for the Education Ministry, criticizing Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene for allegedly failing to report the matter to the national ministry when it first arose. As the CID investigation proceeds, there are growing calls for the establishment of a National Safeguarding Clearance and Barring System. Proponents argue that a centralized register for tracking substantiated misconduct is essential to vetting educators and preventing habitual offenders from moving between schools, ensuring a safer environment for students across Ghana.