Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has ordered the immediate suspension of Zakaria Abdulai, headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female student. The Ministry of Education has requested a formal police investigation into the claims, which were brought to light by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
Ministerial Directive and Official Suspension
The directive for Mr. Abdulai’s suspension was issued on October 13, 2026. In an official statement, the Ministry of Education instructed the Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to take immediate steps to suspend the headmaster. The move comes as the government seeks to address allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female student at the Ashanti Region institution. The press release, which confirmed that the matter emerged following reports from Joynews and Manasseh Azure Awuni, was signed by Hashmin Mohammed, the Press Secretary to the Ministry of Education.
📍📍BREAKING NEWS📍📍Education Minister orders immediate suspension of Obuasi SHTS Headmaster, Mr. Zakaria Abdulai, over alleged sexual misconduct with a female student. GES directed to act, Police CID to investigate. Ministry says it won't tolerate such acts.#GhanaEducation https://t.co/Mv5bVqSbYh pic.twitter.com/QFFSPno7zy
The Honourable Minister considers the issue serious and has directed the Director General of the Ghana Education Service to take effective immediate steps to suspend the Headmaster, Mr. Zakaria Abdulai, pending full investigations into the matter.
Ministry of Education
Police Involvement and Ongoing Investigations
Alongside the administrative suspension, the Ministry has formally requested that the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters launch an investigation into the claims. While the allegations remain unproven, the Ministry emphasized that the investigation is necessary to establish the facts surrounding the reported incident. The Ministry has not disclosed a timeline for the completion of these inquiries.
According to the Ghana Education Service, Mr. Abdulai has been directed to proceed on interdiction with immediate effect. Additionally, he has been instructed to make himself available to assist with the investigation and to hand over the management of the school to the Regional Director of Education.
Institutional Responsibility and Student Safety
The Ministry of Education and the GES have used the case to reiterate their zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct within educational settings. Officials stressed that the trust placed in educators by families is a fundamental component of the school system that must not be violated, noting that the ministry would not tolerate or countenance such alleged despicable misconduct in any educational institution across the country.
Parents and Guardians have entrusted their wards in the care of teachers whose responsibilities are to protect and safeguard the children and not abuse them.
Ministry of Education
Management assured staff, students, and the general public of its commitment to safeguarding the safety of students and staff and upholding the highest standards of professional conduct.