The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has 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.”
It will be recalled that the NDC had earlier ordered the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Zakaria Abdulai, to withdraw from the Juaben constituency chairmanship race or risk disqualification.
According to Manasseh Azure Awuni, whose exposé led to the interdiction of Zakaria Abdulai, the NDC has ordered the headmaster to withdraw from the election.
In a Facebook post on October 18, 2026, Manasseh wrote, “The NDC has ordered the Obuasi SHTS headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, to withdraw from the Juaben chairmanship race or be disqualified”.
Also, the NDC’s Deputy National Communications Director, Julius Kwame Anthony, has confirmed the development.
“The party has directed: withdraw your attempts to contest for the chairmanship or be disqualified. That is the party’s position, well communicated to the headmaster,” he said.
“Our rationale is simple: this person is currently being investigated by law enforcement agencies who essentially report to our government,” he explained.
Zakaria Abdulai, popularly known as Paapaa, is facing allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female student.
Meanwhile, One of the victims featured in Manasseh Azure Awuni’s investigative documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, has recounted an alleged sexual abuse incident involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (Obuasi SHTS).
The victim, identified as Victim A, described how the headmaster allegedly subjected her to sexual abuse while she was in his bungalow.
According to the Victim, he was raped by the headmaster of Obuasi SHTS but never got justice, even after reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities.
Speaking in the documentary, Victim A stated, “He held my hand and used it to rub his manhood, took off my shorts and forced himself on me. After that, he gave me GH¢100 and warned me not to mention it to anyone.”
Also, another Victim identified as Victim B alleged that the headmaster gave her oil and instructed her to stroke his private parts. When she refused, he allegedly threatened her, reminding her that he had locked her inside the bungalow and that nobody knew she was there.
“He gave me oil and asked me to stroke his private parts. When I refused, he reminded me that he had locked me in and nobody knew I was in his bungalow, threatening that he could kill me and nobody would find out. He ejaculated four times before allowing me to leave,” she recounted.
Their account forms part of the allegations presented in the documentary by Manasseh Azure, which examines claims of sexual abuse involving the headmaster and raises questions about how school authorities responded to complaints from students.
Watch the video below:
Sexual abuse in schools: Obuasi SHTS headmaster has denied involvement in sexual abuse allegations – Mustapha Gbande, Deputy General Secretary for the NDC. Watch more here: https://t.co/Wl9jKy54DE #JoyNews #PMExpress https://t.co/QVogQdV6KT
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) October 19, 2026
@ghnow_ “He ejaculated four times before allowing me to go” – Victim recounts alleged sexual assault by Obuasi Sec Tech headmaster. Source: Joy News #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ “He held my hands and rubbed them on his manhood” – Victim recounts alleged sexual abuse involving Obuasi Sec Tech headmaster. Source: Joy News #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
