The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has made another U-turn on the candidacy of Zakaria Abdulai, the interdicted headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, directing him to step aside from the Juaben Constituency chairmanship contest to allow for an unhindered police investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving students.
The latest decision reverses the party’s earlier position, which allowed Mr. Abdulai to proceed with his candidacy while investigations into the allegations continued.
In a statement issued by its Functional Executive Committee (FEC), the NDC said the new directive followed further consideration of the matter and was intended to promote transparency and accountability.
“After further consideration, FEC has directed that Mr. Zakaria Abdulai step aside, in the overriding interest of transparency and accountability, to allow for an unhindered investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service,” the statement said.
The development comes amid growing public scrutiny of allegations against Mr. Abdulai, who has been accused of sexually abusing female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School.
Reports on the matter indicate that 19 students have been linked to the allegations, which have prompted administrative and police investigations.
The latest directive marks a change in the party’s position after it initially permitted Mr. Abdulai to continue with his bid for the Juaben Constituency chairmanship.
The party’s earlier decision followed his appearance before its Functional Executive Committee to present his side of the matter. The NDC had maintained that he should be given a fair hearing while the allegations were investigated.
That position was based on the principle that the allegations had not been established and that Mr Abdulai remained entitled to the presumption of innocence.
However, the party has now directed him to step aside to ensure that the police investigation proceeds without obstruction.
The NDC stressed that the decision should not be interpreted as a finding of guilt against him.
“This position is taken in good faith and is in no way a determination of the merits of the allegations against Mr Abdulai, who remains entitled to the presumption of innocence,” the statement added.
The controversy has also attracted the attention of education authorities.
The Education Ministry directed the Ghana Education Service to suspend Mr. Abdulai pending investigations into the allegations. The Ghana Education Service subsequently interdicted him and directed him to hand over the management of the school.
The matter has also been referred for criminal investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service.
The NDC said it expected the police to conduct a thorough and fair investigation and to complete the process without unnecessary delay.
“The Party trusts that the CID will conduct a thorough, fair and expeditious investigation, and will be guided by its outcome,” the statement said.
As part of measures to implement the new decision, the NDC has directed the Ashanti Regional Election Committee and the Juaben Constituency Election Committee to take note of the directive and act accordingly.
“By a copy of this release the Ashanti Regional Election Committee and the Juaben Constituency Election Committee are directed to take note and act accordingly,” the statement said.
The latest development leaves Mr. Abdulai required to step aside from the internal contest while the police investigation proceeds.
The party has reiterated that its decision is intended to safeguard transparency and accountability without prejudging the outcome of the allegations against him.
Read the statement below:
