Obuasi SHTS scandal: From headmaster’s suspension to school reopening, a timeline of events

The headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) has been suspended over allegations involving female students. Two education directors have been asked to step aside, and the police investigation has reached the Attorney-General’s Office.

The school is under heavy public scrutiny.

The case came to national attention through JoyNews and investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni’s investigation into the allegations. Short promotional clips for the documentary began circulating on October 14, and the full documentary aired on October 19.

People are now asking how earlier complaints were handled, how students are protected and whether education authorities act when they hear allegations of misconduct.

Continuing students were sent home after disturbances on campus in August. The school has started reopening to them, and the government says it will pursue both administrative and legal processes while it puts measures in place to protect students.

Here is how the case has unfolded.

July 25, 2026: A student reports an alleged rape

According to a police account of the complaint, a 20-year-old Form Two student was allegedly sexually assaulted at the official bungalow of the headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, on July 25 after she was allegedly lured there.

The allegation later became a formal complaint to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service. The allegations against Mr Abdulai are still under investigation.

August 4-5, 2026: The complaint reaches DOVVSU, and unrest closes the school

On August 4, the student went to DOVVSU in Obuasi with her father and reported the alleged assault. Police say investigators then carried out a medical examination, reconstructed the scene, took photographs and got witness statements.

The next day, August 5, continuing students were sent home after disturbances on campus. The unrest followed students’ claims that they had found a fetus buried near the school’s refuse dump and that the headmaster was behind it.

Some students reportedly attacked him and vandalised school property, and Graphic Online reported that six students were arrested.

The closure disrupted classes and worried parents of continuing students, especially those preparing for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

First-year students reported to school on September 18 for the new academic year.

October 13-14, 2026: The Education Minister orders the headmaster’s suspension

On the evening of October 13, a statement from the Ministry of Education said Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to suspend Mr Abdulai while investigations continue. The directive followed a JoyNews report on the allegations.

The minister also asked the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to investigate.

The next day, October 14, GES confirmed it had interdicted him. He was told to make himself available to help the inquiry and to hand over the running of the school to the Ashanti Regional Director of Education.

That same day, short promotional clips for Manasseh’s documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, began circulating. His investigation reported that complaints had gone to school management and education authorities before the matter became a national controversy.

It was the first in a series of administrative measures as public concern grew over the allegations and how earlier complaints had been handled.

October 15, 2026: A follow-up report on earlier complaints

Ahead of the full documentary, a follow-up JoyNews report said education officials, municipal authorities and other influential figures had received complaints about alleged sexual abuse involving the headmaster months before his suspension.

It reported that the Obuasi West Municipal Director of Education, George Alfred Koomson, confirmed getting complaints from five female students in March 2026. Three of them reportedly put theirs in writing.

It also reported that the school’s Girl Child Coordinator and safeguarding teacher had petitioned management in February, asking for an impartial investigation.

Why those earlier complaints didn’t lead to effective action, and whether the alleged incidents could have been dealt with sooner, are now open questions.

The accounts in the investigation are still subject to the relevant investigations, and no conclusion on criminal liability should be drawn before due process is complete.

October 20, 2026: The headmaster denies the allegations

JoyNews reported on October 20 that Mr Abdulai had denied the allegations of sexual harassment and rape. He said he did not know some of the students who had accused him, and he alleged a conspiracy against him.

He admitted giving money, including GH¢100, to a student, but said it was meant to cover medical expenses. The allegations against him have not been proven in court.

October 20-21, 2026: Two education directors asked to step aside

On October 20, GES directed the Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr William Amankrah Appiah, and the Obuasi East Municipal Director of Education, Kwamena Owusu-Nketiah, to step aside with immediate effect.

The aim was to let investigations go ahead without interference, or the appearance of it. The two were told to hand over their offices and state property to the Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Thomas Kwame Boateng.

GES also dismissed reports that Mr Abdulai had been cleared, saying his interdiction remained in force.

The decision put the education administration itself in focus, given reports that complaints had reached authorities before the case became public.

October 22, 2026: The docket goes to the Attorney-General

DOVVSU in the Ashanti South Region, based in Bekwai, forwarded the case docket to the Attorney-General’s Office for study and advice. A police statement said the investigative steps, including the medical examination, scene reconstruction, photographs and witness statements, were complete.

That is progress, but it doesn’t mean the allegations are proven or that anyone has been convicted. The Attorney-General’s review is expected to guide the next steps.

October 22, 2026: Gender Ministry sends a support team

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection announced support for the affected students. Gender Minister Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey said a team had gone to Obuasi to speak with students, assess their needs and provide medical and psychological help.

The ministry was also working with the Ministry of the Interior and the CID to coordinate the response, so that students aren’t interviewed over and over by different agencies.

The minister acknowledged that some students were reluctant to speak publicly for fear of victimisation and stigma.

October 23, 2026: GES prepares for students to return

After more than two months away from school, continuing students were expected back soon

GES announced preparations were underway to resume academic work. A second notice revealed that third-year students were due back on October 25 and second-years on November 16.

For students whose studies were disrupted, going back is an important step. Authorities also have to deal with concerns about safety, security and how complaints are handled.

October 26, 2026: The Education Minister promises to follow through

As the school began reopening, Mr Iddrisu said the case would not be allowed to fade from attention. Speaking at a media briefing, he said the government would pursue both administrative and legal processes.

“It won’t be swept under the carpet and be assured that we will follow through. Every part of it, from administrative to legal protection and punishment, the Ministry of Education would follow through and ensure that justice is done,” he said.

He said the Gender Minister and the Director-General of GES, Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, were in Obuasi to engage stakeholders and assess the situation.

He also called for due process and said the government would pursue the matter against the background of wider calls for stronger safeguards in schools.

October 26, 2026: The Gender Minister meets students and families

During her visit to the school, Dr Lartey met school authorities, students and the families of those allegedly affected. She told students and parents that security measures were being put in place and urged continuing students who hadn’t returned to resume their studies.

She said the government was working with GES and other stakeholders to rebuild trust between students and teachers, improve access to counselling and strengthen systems for spotting and responding to safeguarding concerns.

She also said media coverage had had a troubling effect. Some alleged victims had withdrawn from engagements with authorities after hearing their full names on media platforms.

By her account, two or three students had withdrawn, and some parents had become reluctant to keep taking part. She warned that even when faces are covered, students can be identified by their voices.

The minister appealed to journalists to hold back and protect the identities of the alleged victims. Coverage, she said, shouldn’t expose them to further harm or make it harder for investigators and support teams to work with them.

What is still unresolved

Final year students have reported t school and continuing students will join in November but that doesn’t mean the case is closed.

The outcome of the criminal investigation and the Attorney-General’s review will decide the next legal steps in the case involving Mr Abdulai.

Investigators also have to establish whether complaints to school management and education authorities were handled properly, and whether any officials failed in their duties.

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