NDC Clears Zakaria Abdulai To Contest Juaben Chairmanship Amid Investigations

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has withdrawn its earlier directive requiring Zakaria Abdulai, the embattled headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, to step aside from the Juaben Constituency Chairmanship race.

The party’s Deputy General Secretary, Mustapha Gbande, says Mr Abdulai can now file his nomination and contest the election while investigations into allegations of sexual abuse against him continue.

Mr Gbande confirmed the change in the party’s position but cautioned that being allowed to contest would not protect the aspirant from possible removal if the investigations establish wrongdoing.

“He can now file and proceed.”

The decision follows Mr Abdulai’s appearance before the party’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC), which wanted to hear his side of the matter before determining the next course of action.

“Indeed, it is true. Those were preliminary directives that were taken.”

Mr Gbande was responding to a question about whether the earlier instruction for Mr Abdulai to withdraw from the race remained in force. The party’s Deputy Communications Director had previously stated on ‘The Probe’ that he would be disqualified if he proceeded with his candidacy.

According to Mr Gbande, the committee reconsidered the initial position after taking into account the investigations and other procedures already initiated, including a directive from the Education Minister and an inquiry by the Ghana Education Service (GES).

He added that Mr Abdulai informed the committee that he had initiated legal action against some people linked to the matter, although Mr Gbande said he could not confirm whether the suits involved defamation claims.

The allegations are featured in Manasseh Azure Awuni’s documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, which examines claims of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School.

On October 13, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu directed the GES to suspend Mr Abdulai pending investigations and also asked the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to investigate the matter.

Mr Gbande said the NDC’s decision was intended to protect the aspirant’s rights while allowing the relevant investigations to continue.

“We have given him an opportunity to state his case, and so I wouldn’t be his PRO.”

He said the party’s General Secretary would monitor the investigations, with the findings informing any further decisions by the leadership.

Mr Gbande further stressed that permission to contest did not amount to a determination of the allegations against Mr Abdulai.

“He would have to go and make his own case,” he said.

He further explained that the party had cautioned the aspirant that he could still lose his position if he won the election but was subsequently found culpable. He added that significant findings emerging from the investigations could lead to further action.

Mr Abdulai, who has served as the constituency secretary for several years, is seeking to become the Juaben Constituency Chairman.

Mr Gbande said the party would continue to monitor developments before taking any further steps.

“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.”