Zakaria Abdulai arrested for alleged sexual misconduct at Obuasi SHTS

The headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, has been arrested and interdicted following allegations of gross sexual misconduct involving multiple female students. Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka confirmed the arrest during a session with Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on October 20, 2026. The case has been escalated from the regional level to the Police Headquarters in Accra to facilitate a more rigorous investigation, which includes the collection of DNA evidence. Minister Muntaka stated that while the headmaster is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the severity of the reports received by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on September 7 necessitated immediate action.

Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for the law to take its course, emphasizing the need for due process and the protection of student welfare. Speaking upon her return from an official visit to China, the Vice President highlighted the gravity of the allegations and their potential impact on the futures of the affected students. The investigation follows an investigative documentary by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, which brought the claims to public attention and led the Ministry of Education to directive for Abdulai's suspension pending criminal proceedings.

The scandal has sparked significant political and civic debate regarding institutional accountability. Sammi Awuku, Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for allegedly shielding the headmaster, while the NPP’s Director of Communications, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, urged stakeholders to prioritize child protection over political interests. Concurrently, the Economic Fighters League (EFL) has demanded an independent inquiry and comprehensive psychological support for the victims, expressing concern over the transparency of how past grievances were handled at the institution.

Local advocacy groups in the Ashanti Region have also petitioned the Adansihene, Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II, regarding the reported closure of the school and the transfer of 38 teachers following the scandal. The petition seeks a review of these transfers and calls for protections for whistleblowers who reported the misconduct. As the Police continue to gather evidence for the Attorney-General’s review, the Ghana Education Service (GES) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that educational environments remain safe for all students.