The New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Women's Wing staged a protest at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) on November 6, over allegations of sexual abuse involving 19 students and the school's headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai. The demonstration, dubbed "Justice for Our Girls," aimed to demand accountability and stronger measures to protect students from abuse in educational institutions. National Women’s Organiser, Mavis Hawa Koomson, led the protest, emphasizing the need for collective action to ensure justice for the affected students.
The allegations against Mr. Abdulai include rape, sexual harassment, and sexual assault, and have drawn widespread public concern. The case came to national attention through an investigation by JoyNews and journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni. The Ghana Education Service (GES), Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) have taken steps to address the matter. However, the NPP Women's Wing argues that more needs to be done to ensure justice for the affected students.
According to a police account, a 20-year-old Form Two student reported an alleged rape on July 25, 2026, after being lured to the headmaster's official bungalow. The allegation was formally reported to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service. The allegations against Mr. Abdulai are still under investigation. The student underwent a medical examination, and the police reconstructed the scene, took photographs, and obtained witness statements.
On August 4-5, 2026, continuing students were sent home after disturbances on campus, following claims that students had found a fetus buried near the school's refuse dump and that the headmaster was behind it. Some students reportedly attacked Mr. Abdulai and vandalized school property, resulting in six students being arrested. The closure disrupted classes and worried parents of continuing students, especially those preparing for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
On October 13-14, 2026, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu directed the GES to suspend Mr. Abdulai while investigations continue. The directive followed a JoyNews report on the allegations. The minister also asked the CID to investigate. The next day, GES confirmed it had interdicted him, instructing him to make himself available to help the inquiry and hand over the running of the school to the Ashanti Regional Director of Education.
The NPP Women's Wing demonstration was attended by party officials, including NPP Second Vice Chairman Nana Boakye and General Secretary Justin Frimpong Koduah. The protesters appealed to President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, to ensure justice for the affected students.
Mavis Hawa Koomson stated that the issue goes beyond the accused headmaster and points to broader institutional failures. She emphasized that the affected students must have confidence in Ghanaians and their leaders, adding that "these girls will never forgive us as a country if we fail them. It is their future, and we need to protect them."
Key points
- The NPP Women's Wing demands accountability for alleged sexual abuse of 19 students by Obuasi SHTS headmaster Zakaria Abdulai.
- The allegations against Mr. Abdulai include rape, sexual harassment, and sexual assault, and have drawn widespread public concern.
- The Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Criminal Investigations Department are investigating the allegations.
