By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News Canada
Questions about institutional accountability have emerged following claims by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni that the suspended headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Zakaria Abdulai, holds a leadership position within the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and intends to contest for a higher constituency office.
Speaking on Joy FM on Thursday, October 15, Manasseh said he discovered the alleged political connections while investigating reports of sexual abuse involving female students at the Ashanti Region-based school. He indicated that the headmaster was reportedly serving as Juaben Constituency Secretary of the NDC and had displayed interest in becoming the constituency chairman.
“This man [the headmaster], we are told, is the Juabeng Constituency Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress, and there are posters of him wanting to contest for the constituency chairman,” he claimed.
Manasseh also raised concerns about what he described as the community’s awareness of the allegations and the reluctance of some people to speak openly about them. He cited comments from Frederick Addai, a former NDC constituency executive, who reportedly said some party members had attempted to calm tensions and resolve the matter when the allegations surfaced.
The journalist further alleged that individuals within the school administration and the Ghana Education Service (GES), at both district and regional levels, had knowledge of the reports but failed to take adequate action. He suggested that the headmaster’s position and alleged connections might have contributed to the lack of an effective response. These claims form part of the issues examined in his documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow.
The matter has prompted official intervention. On October 13, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu directed the GES to suspend Mr Abdulai pending a full investigation. The minister also requested that the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service investigate the allegations.
The suspension and investigation are expected to establish the facts surrounding the reports. The allegations remain subject to investigation, and no conclusion on the headmaster’s culpability is established by the claims reported so far.
COMMENTARY: Allegations involving students demand a careful, impartial and timely response from the institutions responsible for their welfare. Political affiliations or public positions should neither establish guilt nor shield anyone from scrutiny. The priority should be to protect students, establish the facts through a credible investigation and ensure that any proven misconduct is addressed through the appropriate procedures.
