The case involving Zakaria Abdulai, the interdicted headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), has attracted renewed public attention following reports of his arrest over allegations of sexual misconduct involving female students.

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka told Parliament that the headmaster had been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation. However, police later clarified that Abdulai had previously been arrested, granted bail and was currently at home while the legal process continued.

The latest developments have raised important questions about the progress of the investigation, the responsibility of education authorities and the need to protect students while ensuring that due process is followed.

Interior Minister Provides Update on Investigation

Speaking before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on October 20, Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka disclosed that the case had been transferred from the Ashanti Regional Police Command to Police Headquarters in Accra for further investigation.

According to the minister, the matter came to his attention on September 7, 2026, after a report was submitted to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). He subsequently requested that the investigation be handled at the national level.

Muntaka also revealed that investigators were pursuing DNA evidence to help establish the facts surrounding the allegations.

He explained that the necessary legal authorisation would be required before investigators could collect a DNA sample from the headmaster.

The minister emphasised the importance of following the proper legal procedures throughout the investigation. He also indicated that Abdulai would have the opportunity to respond to the allegations against him.

Police Clarify the Headmaster’s Current Status

Following the minister’s announcement, the police provided further details about the headmaster’s status.

In a report published by Adomonline on October 21, Bekwai Police Public Relations Officer ASP Lloyd Baidoo said Abdulai had been arrested earlier and subsequently granted bail.

ASP Baidoo explained that investigators had completed work on a complaint filed by a student on August 4, 2026. The case docket had since been forwarded to the Attorney-General for advice.

The police are awaiting guidance on the next legal steps, including whether the case should proceed to prosecution.

The police also clarified that the complaint currently before the Attorney-General concerns the specific case investigated. Any additional allegations involving other students may require separate reports and investigations.

The clarification helps explain the difference between the minister’s announcement and the police account. According to the police, Abdulai was not newly arrested following the minister’s statement; he had previously been arrested and released on bail.

Ghana Education Service Interdicts Headmaster

The Ghana Education Service (GES) interdicted Abdulai on October 14, 2026, pending investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct involving students.

The administrative action followed a directive from Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, who called for immediate steps to be taken while the relevant authorities investigated the matter.

As part of the directive, Abdulai was required to make himself available to assist with the investigation and hand over the management of the school to the Ashanti Regional Director of Education.

The interdiction is an administrative measure and should not be taken as a final determination of the allegations. The outcome will depend on the findings of the relevant investigations and any subsequent legal proceedings.

The GES is responsible for ensuring that schools maintain appropriate professional standards and provide a safe environment for students and staff.

Two Education Directors Asked to Step Aside

The case has also resulted in administrative action involving two senior education officials in the Ashanti Region.

On October 20, the GES directed the Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr William Amankrah Appiah, and the Obuasi Municipal Director of Education, Kwamena Owusu-Nketiah, to step aside while investigations continue.

The directive was intended to help ensure that the investigation could proceed without interference or the perception of interference.

Both officials were instructed to hand over their offices and state property to Thomas Kwame Boateng, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of Education.

The decision forms part of the administrative measures being taken as the authorities work to address concerns surrounding the case.

Student Safety Remains a Priority

The allegations have renewed attention on the responsibility of schools and education authorities to protect students and respond appropriately to complaints.

Obuasi SHTS also experienced unrest in August 2026, when students demonstrated and school property was damaged, leading to the temporary closure of the institution.

A committee that investigated those August disturbances reported that the sexual harassment allegations examined during its inquiry were not substantiated by the evidence presented to it. However, that finding related to the earlier inquiry and must be distinguished from the allegations that prompted renewed investigations in October.

The current case must therefore be assessed on its own evidence and findings.

Parents and guardians expect schools to provide safe learning environments where students can raise concerns without fear. Education authorities must also ensure that complaints are handled appropriately, investigations remain fair and any established wrongdoing is addressed through the proper disciplinary and legal processes.

Protecting students and respecting due process are both essential to maintaining public confidence in educational institutions.

The case involving Zakaria Abdulai, the interdicted headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, remains at an important stage, with police having forwarded a complaint docket to the Attorney-General for advice.

While Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka announced that the headmaster had been arrested, the police clarified that he had previously been arrested, granted bail and was at home as the legal process continued.

The next steps will depend on the evidence, the Attorney-General’s advice and any further legal action taken by the authorities. Until the matter is determined through the appropriate procedures, the allegations must not be treated as proof of guilt.

For now, the focus should remain on establishing the facts, protecting students and ensuring that the authorities handle the matter fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law.

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Source :Ghana News Page