Omanghana
The interdicted headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Dr. Zakaria Abdulai, has resigned as the National Democratic Congress’s Juaben Constituency Secretary and withdrawn from its chairmanship contest following a directive from the party’s Functional Executive Committee.
His withdrawal follows the NDC’s decision to revoke his clearance to contest while police investigate allegations of sexual misconduct involving female students at the school.
In a statement signed by General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the party directed Dr. Abdulai to step aside immediately. It also instructed the Ashanti Regional and Juaben Constituency Election Committees to remove his name from the ballot and implement the decision.
The directive capped three days of changing positions by the party leadership.
On Sunday, October 18, the NDC initially instructed Dr. Abdulai to withdraw or face automatic disqualification. Following a hearing before the Functional Executive Committee on Monday, however, the party temporarily cleared him to participate, citing fairness and the presumption of innocence.
Tuesday’s decision reversed that clearance, with the party explaining that his withdrawal was necessary to support transparency, accountability and an unhindered investigation.
The NDC stressed that the directive did not amount to a finding of guilt. It said the Criminal Investigations Department should be allowed to conduct a fair and objective inquiry before any final disciplinary action is considered.
Dr. Abdulai is under investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct, including assault and rape. The claims received renewed public attention following an investigative documentary by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
According to reports on the case, a 20-year-old student and her father lodged a complaint with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit. Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu subsequently directed the Ghana Education Service to suspend the headmaster, while the matter was referred to the CID for investigation.
Dr. Abdulai remains interdicted from his school duties. His resignation from the constituency secretary position and withdrawal from the chairmanship contest are separate from the ongoing criminal investigation, which has yet to establish the allegations against him.
Source: Omanghana
