Ghanaian filmmaker and former National Film Authority (NFA) Executive Secretary Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante has questioned why Zakaria Abdulai, headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), remains on the Authority’s Governing Board despite allegations of sexual misconduct involving female students.
In a Facebook post shared on Monday, 19th October 2026, alongside a picture of Mr. Abdulai, Juliet asked: “Why is this gentleman still on the board of the National Film Authority?
“Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, please tell us. #YaaMusings #JulietAsante. There is really no art to find the mind’s construction on the face…”
Four days earlier, Juliet had published a lengthy statement on Facebook titled “THE NATIONAL FILM AUTHORITY MUST SPEAK”, raising concerns about Mr Abdulai’s continued membership of the NFA board and calling for the Authority to address the matter publicly.
“I have followed with deep concern the disturbing reports surrounding Zakaria Abdulai, headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, and the serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving female students currently under investigation,” she wrote.
“The reports are deeply troubling, particularly given the number of students who have reportedly come forward and the questions being raised about how earlier complaints were handled.”
She said Mr Abdulai’s membership of the NFA board made the matter particularly concerning to her.
“He served on the Authority’s board during my tenure as its founding CEO, representing the Film Producers’ Association of Ghana, and was subsequently reappointed to the board inaugurated in August 2025, this time representing the Collective Management Organisation of Audiovisual Rights Owners.
“His association with the governance of the NFA therefore spans two board appointments.”
As the founding CEO of the institution, she said the developments were deeply disturbing.
“But beyond my personal concern lies a much bigger question.
“What responsibility does a public institution have when one of its governing board members becomes the subject of allegations of this magnitude?”
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has interdicted Mr Abdulai pending investigations into the allegations. The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, also directed his suspension and requested the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters of the Ghana Police Service to investigate the matter.
However, Juliet Asante noted that the NFA had issued no public statement addressing Mr Abdulai’s position on its governing board or the implications of the developments for the institution.
“Institutional silence in the face of allegations of this magnitude raises serious questions about accountability and public trust.
“The NFA owes the public and the audiovisual filmmaking community a clear response.”
She called on the Authority to affirm its commitment to ethical leadership and institutional integrity, clarify Mr Abdulai’s current board status, and explain the measures being taken or considered pending the outcome of investigations.
“Respecting due process does not absolve public institutions of their responsibility to demonstrate accountability,” she said.
Juliet also raised concerns about appointments to the boards of public institutions, questioning the background checks and due diligence undertaken before individuals are appointed, the ethical standards applied, and the mechanisms available to assess the continued suitability of board members when serious concerns arise.
“These are not ceremonial positions. Board members exercise oversight, influence policy, shape institutional direction and carry the responsibility of protecting the public interest.
“The National Film Authority is entrusted with the development, regulation and promotion of Ghana’s film industry. It carries responsibilities that extend across our audiovisual and creative economy. Its governance must reflect the highest standards of integrity, accountability and public trust.”
She called on the NFA, its supervising ministry, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, and the relevant appointing authorities to address the matter publicly, take appropriate action in accordance with the law, and strengthen the vetting and accountability mechanisms governing appointments to public boards.
“Above all, the young people at the centre of these allegations deserve protection, dignity, a thorough and independent investigation, and justice wherever wrongdoing is established.
“The institutions we build must be protected by standards greater than the individuals appointed to govern them.
“Public trust is not maintained through silence. It is maintained through accountability.”
NFA board membership
The current governing board of the National Film Authority was inaugurated on Monday, 4th August 2025, in Accra.
Mr Abdulai represents the Collective Management Organisation of Audio Visual Rights Owners (ARSOG) on the board.
He also served on the NFA board under the previous government. President Nana Akufo-Addo inaugurated the first NFA board on 20th December 2019, with veteran actor David Dontoh as chairperson. Mr Abdulai represented the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) at the time.
He was retained on the board inaugurated in October 2021.
The NFA’s mandate is established under Ghana’s Development and Classification of Film Act, 2016 (Act 935). Its main responsibility is to regulate, develop and promote Ghana’s film industry.
Allegations against headmaster
Mr Abdulai has come under scrutiny following a JoyNews investigation by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni into allegations of sexual harassment, assault and rape involving female students.
The documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, also examined how authorities handled complaints against him.
On 13h October 2026, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu directed the Ghana Education Service to suspend Mr Abdulai pending a full investigation. The minister also requested the CID headquarters to investigate the allegations.
The documentary found that students, parents and teachers had submitted complaints to school management, education officials and other authorities before the suspension.
The allegations remain under investigation.