Zakaria Abdulai granted bail over Obuasi SHTS sexual abuse allegations

Zakaria Abdulai, the Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), has been cautioned by the Ghana Police Service and granted self-recognisance bail following allegations of sexual abuse. The legal development follows an undercover investigation by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, whose documentary, "Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow," detailed allegations involving approximately 19 female students. The headmaster was interdicted by the Ghana Education Service (GES) on October 14, 2026, pending the outcome of various investigations into the reported misconduct.

The case has triggered significant institutional responses, with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender, Children and Social Welfare demanding full accountability and a review of school safeguarding protocols. The committee urged the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to conduct a transparent and timely inquiry while ensuring the protection of affected students from retaliation. Amidst the ongoing probe, Abdulai has also resigned from his position as Chairman of the Obuasi SHTS Old Students’ Association. Various advocacy groups, including the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), have called for an independent probe to ensure a fair process free from potential conflicts of interest.

In response to the welfare needs of the victims, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) deployed a team of social welfare officers and mental health professionals to Obuasi. This team is focused on providing psychological support and assessing the immediate needs of the impacted students while maintaining their privacy. Former Gender Minister Otiko Afisa Djaba condemned the situation as "disturbing" and "unacceptable," emphasizing that student safety must be prioritized over any attempts to resolve such matters privately.

While criminal and administrative investigations continue, Zakaria Abdulai has filed a GH₵2 million defamation lawsuit against Manasseh Azure Awuni and the Multimedia Group, claiming the documentary has caused significant damage to his reputation. Legal experts have urged the public and media to remain neutral until the courts and police conclude their findings. The situation has prompted calls for a national audit of safeguarding practices across secondary schools to prevent future incidents and improve complaint-handling mechanisms.