Zakaria Abdulai, the embattled headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), has resigned as Juaben Constituency Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and withdrawn his candidature for the constituency chairmanship.
The development follows allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at the school.
In a letter dated October 20, 2026, Zakaria Abdulai said his resignation and withdrawal from the forthcoming constituency elections took immediate effect.
According to the Obuasi SHTS headmaster, he pledged to pursue all lawful avenues to clear his name and return to active political engagement.
He thanked friends, relatives and well-wishers who have continued to support him, saying he intends to focus on clearing his name as investigations into the allegations proceed.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, Mr Abdulai stated, “At this time, I intend to devote my attention and resources to pursuing all lawful avenues to clear my name and vindicate my position. I remain hopeful that, once these matters are resolved, I will be able to return to active political engagement and continue contributing to the ideals and aspirations of the NDC,” he stated.
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to my friends, relatives, and all well-wishers who have stood by me and maintained their faith in my innocence in the face of the allegations levelled against me and my office,” he said.
Also, the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has directed Zakaria Abdulai, the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), to step aside from the party’s primaries pending investigations by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
In a statement issued by the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, on October 20, 2026, the directive was announced.
According to the NDC, the decision is to allow an unhindered investigation into the allegations against Abdulai.
The NDC stated, “After further consideration, FEC has directed that Mr Zakaria Abdulai step aside, in the overriding interest of transparency and accountability, to allow for an unhindered investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service”.
“This position is taken in good faith and is in no way a determination of the merits of the allegations against Abdulai, who remains entitled to the presumption of innocence,” the statement added.
The NDC directive follows an earlier press release issued by the party on October 19, 2026, on the same matter.
NDC had shockingly reversed an earlier decision asking embattled Obuasi Senior High Technical School headmaster Zakaria Abdulai to withdraw from the constituency chairmanship race.
According to Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy General Secretary, the Obuasi SHTS headmaster can now contest while investigations into sexual abuse allegations against him continue.
Mustapha Gbande, however, warned that Zakaria Abdulai winning the election would not shield the aspirant from removal.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Mustapha Gbande stated, “He can now file and proceed”.
He disclosed that the decision follows the headmaster’s appearance before the party’s Functional Executive Committee.
“Indeed, it is true. Those were preliminary directives that were taken.”
Mr Gbande said the party wanted to protect the aspirant’s rights while allowing those processes to run.
The NDC Deputy General Secretary said the party wanted to protect the aspirant’s rights while allowing those processes to run.
“We have given him an opportunity to state his case, and so I wouldn’t be his PRO.”
“He would have to go and make his own case,” he said.
“But in the meantime, we think that, given the nature of the processes that have been triggered, it is only prudent and right that the party proceed with caution and follow the story keenly as it unravels.”
@ghnow_ The aunt of the late Nana Yaw, popularly known as Terry/Dinero, has appealed to anyone who owes him money to pay it to his mother. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Emotional scenes at the Teshie District Court as the mother of the late Nana Yaw, popularly known as Terry/Dinero, confronts the three suspects accused of kidnapping and murdering her son. #GHnow #fyp ♬ son original – Alexis Carlier
