The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it will remove its embattled constituency chairmanship aspirant if he is found guilty of sexual abuse, even if he wins the election.
Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande said the party had allowed the aspirant to contest while investigations continued. But an election victory would not shield him from sanctions.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, he said the warning had been made clear to him.
“He can now file and proceed,” Mr Gbande said. “The party will remove him and allow him to go and face the law,” he added.
The controversy follows Manasseh Azure Awuni’s documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow.
It examines allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School and its headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai. The allegations remain under investigation.
Mr Gbande confirmed that the aspirant, a long-serving constituency secretary, had appeared before the party’s Functional Executive Committee.
The meeting prompted the leadership to reconsider an earlier directive for him to withdraw or face disqualification.
“He had already been cleared. He was going to be removed on the basis of the matter,” Mr Gbande said.
He explained that the party was taking into account the documentary, a directive by the Education Minister and a Ghana Education Service investigation.
The aspirant had also told the leadership that he had filed legal actions against some individuals.
Mr Gbande said the party needed to hear his account and avoid undermining those processes.
“We have given him an opportunity to state his case, and so I wouldn’t be his PRO.”
He said the General Secretary would follow the investigation closely. The party would use the findings to reach an informed decision.
Action could also be taken before the investigations end, should substantial findings point to the aspirant’s guilt.
“Even if, in the process of the investigation, a substantial determination is made of his guilt, the party will still invite him and take a decision on that matter.”
Mr Gbande said any sanctions would reflect the party’s constitution and the public interest.
He linked the NDC’s interest in the case to protecting children and restoring confidence in public schools.