Mustapha Gbande, the NDC Deputy General Secretary, told JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday that the party will sanction Obuasi Senior High Technical School headmaster Zakaria Abdulai if sexual abuse allegations against him are proven.
Gbande said the decision to allow Abdulai, who is also a constituency chairmanship aspirant, to contest would not shield him from disciplinary action. He added that the party’s General Secretary would closely monitor the investigations and that any sanctions would follow the party’s constitution and the public interest.
"The party will not hesitate to take actions that will ensure that such an individual is properly sanctioned on the basis of our constitution and the public interest nature of the case," Gbande stated.
The allegations stem from Manasseh Azure Awuni’s documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, and a JoyNews investigation into alleged sexual abuse of female students at the school.
Gbande clarified that the NDC’s warning would apply even if Abdulai won the internal election, and that the party would remove him and allow him to face the law. He also said the leadership could act during the investigation if substantial findings warranted a decision.
The party had earlier considered directing Abdulai to withdraw or face disqualification, but after hearing his case before the Functional Executive Committee, it revised its stance and now allows him to file and contest.
Gbande noted that the party reviewed the documentary, a directive from the Education Minister, and a Ghana Education Service committee investigation. He said the findings would give the leadership sufficient grounds for an informed decision, aiming to protect children and restore confidence in public schools.
What follows is the NDC’s commitment to act decisively while respecting due process and the rights of all parties involved.
