Obuasi SHTS scandal: ‘If he’s found guilty, he’ll pay the price’ – NDC vows not to interfere

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reiterated that it will not protect suspended Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) headmaster Zakaria Abdulai if investigations establish that he committed sexual abuse offences involving female students.

The party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, said the NDC would allow law enforcement agencies to conduct an independent investigation and would not interfere with the process.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, October 22, Mr Kwetey said the party wanted the facts established and was prepared to accept the outcome of the investigation.

“We do not endorse any such conduct and we want the law enforcement to do an independent job. We are sure they will, and this party would not in any way interfere,” he said.

He added that the party would not shield anyone found culpable, regardless of their political affiliation.

“We want the truth to be brought out. On the back of the truth, the country would have clear assurance that as a party and as government, we do not cover anybody. If he’s found guilty, he’ll pay the price. If he’s not guilty, we’ll be happy for him,” Mr Kwetey stated.

Mr. Kwetey’s comments follow criticism of the party’s handling of Mr Abdulai’s attempt to contest the Juaben constituency chairmanship.

The NDC initially directed him to step aside but later reversed that position after its Functional Executive Committee considered his response and the ongoing investigative processes. The party subsequently changed course again, directing him to step aside to allow an unhindered police investigation.

Explaining the latest decision, Mr. Kwetey said the party had not initially reviewed the full materials released by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.

“The party unfortunately did not have access to Manasseh’s comprehensive disclosure as at Monday on his radio program. Manasseh aired his video and his tapes the evening of that day,” he said.

He added, “Soon after watching those tapes comprehensively, it was clear that our earlier decision needed to be changed. And that actually is what saw the change of the decision as you saw happen on Tuesday even before midday.”

The NDC has maintained that its decision to have Mr. Abdulai step aside is intended to allow the investigation to proceed without interference and does not constitute a finding of guilt.

The General Secretary also criticised remarks made by an NDC communication officer who attempted to defend Mr Abdulai amid the controversy.

“One of our own, unfortunately, a communication officer, in his attempt to want to defend, said things that absolutely must be condemned—that absolutely have nothing to do with this party,” he said.

Mr. Kwetey stressed that the NDC did not endorse rape, sexual misconduct or sexual abuse and said the officer’s comments should not be regarded as the party’s official position.

He added that the officer had apologised and that the party expected the apology to be communicated clearly.

“So any officer who may have spoken clearly is not speaking on behalf of this party. Personal responsibility is his. I think he’s had the decency of apologising, and we expect that the apology will be loud. The party endorses no such communication at any time,” he said.

The allegations came into wider public attention following an investigative documentary by Manasseh Azure Awuni titled Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, which examined allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi SHTS.

Following the reports, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to suspend Mr Abdulai pending investigations and requested a police inquiry into the allegations. The GES subsequently interdicted him.

The controversy also prompted scrutiny of how the school and relevant authorities handled earlier complaints.

A previous GES committee inquiry into the August 2026 school disturbances did not substantiate the allegations based on the evidence presented to it, but that inquiry was separate from the fresh investigation prompted by the documentary.

The police have since forwarded the case docket relating to a complaint lodged by a student to the Attorney-General’s Office for study and advice, while further investigations continue.

Mr. Abdulai has denied wrongdoing and has also filed a defamation suit against Manasseh Azure Awuni and the Multimedia Group.

The NDC says it will not interfere with the investigative process and insists that any determination of culpability must follow the law.