NDC admits untidy handling of Zakaria Abdulai candidacy

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has acknowledged that its management of the candidacy of Zakaria Abdulai, the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), was inconsistent and "untidy." Hamza Suhuyini, a member of the NDC Communication Team, stated that while the party's shifting directives regarding Abdulai’s bid for the Juaben Constituency chairmanship were messy, they were necessary to balance the rights of the complainant against the accused’s presumption of innocence. The party faced significant internal and public pressure as it struggled to maintain a coherent position during the unfolding scandal.

The controversy arose after Abdulai was accused of serious sexual misconduct involving a student at his school. Over a brief period, the NDC’s stance fluctuated significantly; the party initially announced his withdrawal from the contest to uphold its principles of accountability, only to later allow him to participate before ultimately insisting on his resignation as police investigations intensified. Critics have pointed to this "stop-go" approach as a failure to consistently prioritize student safety over political interests, highlighting a tension between party principles and the protection of its aspirants.

Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni further criticized the party's decision-making process, suggesting that the NDC was misled by a report from a committee set up by the Ghana Education Service (GES). According to Awuni, this internal report was biased in favor of Abdulai and minimized the focus on the victims, which led the party to initially clear him for the primaries. Despite the party's initial vacillation, Abdulai has since resigned from his position at Obuasi SHTS and has been interdicted by the GES as criminal investigations continue. The NDC continues to face calls for more rigorous ethical vetting for its candidates in light of the incident.