The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reversed its earlier directive for Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) headmaster Zakaria Abdulai to withdraw from the Juaben Constituency Chairmanship race, allowing him to contest while investigations into sexual misconduct allegations involving female students continue.
The party’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC) said the decision followed further deliberations and an opportunity for Mr Abdulai to respond to the allegations, with fairness, natural justice and the constitutional rights of all parties guiding its final position.
In a statement dated October 19, the NDC disclosed that it had initially directed Mr Abdulai to withdraw voluntarily or face disqualification from the contest.
However, the committee reconsidered the directive after hearing his side of the matter and reviewing the ongoing investigative processes.
Speaking on Joy News on Monday, NDC Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande confirmed the reversal, explaining that the earlier directive was preliminary.
“Indeed, it is true. Those were preliminary directives that were taken,” he said.
Mr Gbande added that the party had now permitted the aspirant to proceed with the electoral process.
“He can now file and proceed,” he said.
The FEC said it considered a report by the Ghana Education Service (GES) committee that investigated the matter, an investigative report by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, and a directive from Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu referring the allegations to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service for a comprehensive criminal investigation.
On October 13, Mr Iddrisu directed the GES to suspend Mr Abdulai pending investigations and requested a police inquiry into the allegations.
The controversy also features in Mr Azure Awuni’s documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, which examines allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi SHTS.
Mr Gbande said the NDC considered the need to protect the aspirant’s rights while allowing the relevant investigative processes to proceed. He added that the party would follow the investigation closely and use the findings to determine its next steps.
The deputy general secretary stressed that permission to contest did not amount to a determination of the allegations or protect Mr Abdulai from possible disciplinary action.
“He would have to go and make his own case,” Mr Gbande said.
He also indicated that the party’s leadership had cautioned the aspirant that he could be removed from office if he won the election but was subsequently found guilty. Findings from the ongoing investigations could also prompt further action by the party.
Mr Gbande said the NDC had given Mr Abdulai an opportunity to state his position, adding, “We have given him an opportunity to state his case, and so I wouldn’t be his PRO.”
Mr Abdulai, a long-serving constituency secretary, is seeking to become the Juaben Constituency Chairman.
The party says it will proceed cautiously as the investigations unfold, maintaining his eligibility to contest for now while reserving the right to reconsider its position based on the findings.
