The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that it will permit the constituency chairmanship aspirant from Obuasi Senior High Technical School to keep contesting, despite ongoing investigations into sexual abuse allegations against the school’s headmaster. Deputy General Secretary Mustapha Gbande said the decision was guided by a commitment to protect the aspirant’s rights and to avoid prejudging the matter.
Gbande explained that the party had initially issued a withdrawal directive, but after hearing from the headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, the leadership chose to reconsider. He said the NDC had "given him an opportunity to state his case" and would not act as his public relations officer.
The allegations are the focus of Manasseh Azure Awuni’s documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, and are being examined by a committee set up by the Ghana Education Service. The Education Minister has also issued a directive, and the party is reviewing all available evidence before making a final decision.
Gbande noted that Abdulai had previously issued writs against individuals linked to the case, though it is unclear whether those actions constituted defamation. He added that the NDC would monitor every stage of the investigation, and that any findings would inform whether the aspirant could remain in the race or be removed.
The party warned that a victory in the election would not shield the aspirant if the allegations were proven true. "The party will remove him and allow him to face the law," Gbande said. He emphasized that any sanctions would align with the NDC constitution and the public interest, underscoring the party’s focus on protecting children and restoring confidence in public schools.
