The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) says 38 teachers at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) were told to leave the school after they spoke out over sexual misconduct allegations against the headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai. NAGRAT President Jacob Anaba made the claim in media interviews on Monday, October 19, and Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
According to Mr Anaba, the teachers were asked to transfer in September 2026. He said the directive was passed on to them by the assistant headmaster, who said it came from the District Director of Education. No reasons were given to the teachers.
The allegations against the headmaster involve more than 14 female students and were brought to wider public attention by an investigation by JoyNews journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni. Mr Anaba said complaints about the matter date back to 2025, before it became public in August 2026.
The headmaster has been interdicted, the Ghana Education Service (GES) is investigating, and the case has been referred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service. The allegations have not been proven and remain under investigation.
NAGRAT says 38 Obuasi SHTS teachers were targeted for being vocal
Mr Anaba said some of the affected teachers had criticised how the allegations were being handled, while others had raised concerns publicly.
“The Assistant Headmaster was asked to tell 38 teachers to transfer because they were being vocal,” he said on Citi TV’s Prime News.
NAGRAT questions District Director’s role in Obuasi SHTS case
The NAGRAT President questioned the work of a fact-finding committee chaired by the District Director of Education, which reportedly cleared the headmaster.
“He knew about it. What measures did he take?” Mr Anaba asked on JoyNews’ PM Express, referring to the district director.
He said students and parents had raised complaints well before the issue gained national attention, and urged that no one found culpable should be shielded.
NAGRAT calls for headmaster to leave the classroom
Mr Anaba took a strong position on the headmaster’s future in the teaching service.
“This man should leave immediately. He can’t be a teacher again,” he said, while calling for the allegations to be properly investigated.
Obuasi SHTS headmaster quits NDC Juaben race
The NAGRAT claims come as Mr Abdulai stepped down from his political role. On Tuesday, October 20, he resigned as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Juaben Constituency Secretary and withdrew his bid for the constituency chairmanship, both with immediate effect.
In a statement on Monday, October 19, the NDC had said it would not disqualify him “at that stage”, citing fairness, natural justice and the presumption of innocence while criminal investigations continue.
In his resignation letter, Mr Abdulai thanked friends, relatives and supporters who “maintained their faith in my innocence.”
Obuasi SHTS scandal in figures
- Teachers told to leave: 38, according to NAGRAT
- When teachers were told to transfer: September 2026
- Students in the allegations: more than 14 female students
- Complaints first raised: 2025, according to NAGRAT
- Became public: August 2026
- Headmaster’s status: interdicted; case with GES and CID
Reactions from heads and education groups
The Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) has backed the headmaster’s interdiction. CHASS National Secretary Primus Baro said the step-aside process allows investigators to establish the facts while respecting due process, adding that the headmaster is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Child Rights International has also said GES cannot be trusted to handle school abuse cases on its own, adding to calls for an independent process.
What it means for Obuasi SHTS teachers and students
If the NAGRAT claims are confirmed, it would raise questions about whether teachers who raise safeguarding concerns are protected from reprisals in Ghana’s public schools.
For students and parents, the claims add pressure on education authorities to show that complaints are taken seriously and that witnesses can speak without fear. NAGRAT, which recently joined other unions in a two-week teachers’ strike over promotion arrears, is now pressing on welfare and accountability at the school level.
What happens next in the Obuasi SHTS investigation
The Ghana Education Service investigation and the CID probe are ongoing. Any disciplinary or criminal action must follow due process.
The GES and the District Education Directorate had not publicly responded to the NAGRAT claim about the 38 teachers at the time of writing.
Key details at a glance
- NAGRAT President Jacob Anaba says 38 Obuasi SHTS teachers were told to leave for being vocal.
- The directive came through the assistant headmaster, reportedly from the District Director.
- Headmaster Zakaria Abdulai faces sexual misconduct allegations involving more than 14 female students.
- The headmaster has been interdicted; GES is investigating and the case is with the CID.
- Abdulai resigned as NDC Juaben Secretary and withdrew his chairmanship bid on October 20.
- CHASS supports the interdiction and stresses the presumption of innocence.
FAQs
Why were 38 Obuasi SHTS teachers asked to leave?
NAGRAT says the 38 teachers were told to transfer because they were vocal about how sexual misconduct allegations against the headmaster were handled. No official reason was given to them.
Who is the Obuasi SHTS headmaster?
The headmaster is Zakaria Abdulai. He has been interdicted and has resigned as NDC Juaben Constituency Secretary while the allegations are investigated.
Is the Obuasi SHTS headmaster case with the police?
Yes. The case has been referred to the CID of the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Education Service is also investigating.
NAGRAT’s claim that 38 teachers were pushed out for speaking up adds a new layer to the Obuasi SHTS scandal, shifting attention to how district education officials handled the complaints. With the headmaster interdicted, out of the NDC Juaben race and under GES and CID investigation, pressure is growing for a full and independent account of what happened at the school.
