The NDC has cleared embattled Obuasi SHTS headmaster Zakaria Abdulai to contest the Juaben chairmanship race, citing constitutional rights while investigations into sexual abuse allegations continue.
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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cleared the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Zakaria Abdulai, to contest the party's constituency chairmanship race despite facing grave sexual abuse allegations.
The party says the embattled headmaster can file his nomination and contest while investigations continue, but cautions that a potential election victory will not shield him from removal if found culpable.
Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Foyo Gbande announced the party's new position on Joy News on Monday, October 19, 2026, stating that the decision was reached after Mr. Abdulai appeared before the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) to respond to the allegations.
The Functional Executive Committee had earlier directed Abdulai to withdraw from the contest, warning that he would be disqualified if he persisted. However, Mr. Gbande stated that the party's stance has since changed.
"He can now file and proceed," he said.
He described the earlier directive as preliminary, explaining that the party needed to hear directly from the aspirant before making a final decision.
"Indeed, it is true. Those were preliminary directives that were taken," he noted.
Mr. Gbande said the committee considered ongoing processes—including a directive from the Ministry of Education and an investigation by the Ghana Education Service (GES)—before arriving at its current decision.
He disclosed that Abdulai informed the committee that he has filed lawsuits against certain individuals linked to the matter, though he could not confirm if the suits relate to defamation.
The allegations against the headmaster are detailed in investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni's documentary titled Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, which investigates alleged sexual abuse of female students at Obuasi SHTS.
Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu ordered the GES to interdict Abdulai on October 13 pending investigations and has petitioned the Police CID to probe the matter.
According to Mr. Gbande, the party is attempting to balance the aspirant's constitutional rights with the necessity of allowing due process and ongoing investigations to proceed.
"We have given him an opportunity to state his case, and so I wouldn't be his PRO," he stated.
He added that the General Secretary is monitoring the investigations closely and that the outcome will determine the party's next line of action. "He would have to go and make his own case," he said.
Mr. Gbande emphasized that the party has made it clear to Abdulai that winning the chairmanship offers no protection if investigations implicate him.
"But in the meantime, we think that, given the nature of the processes that have been triggered, it is only prudent and right that the party proceed with caution and follow the story keenly as it unravels," he said.
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