Barely three days after the Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) took to the streets, the party’s Women’s Wing has also staged a protest at Obuasi today, Friday, November 6, over the alleged sexual abuse of 19 students by the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai.

The demonstration, dubbed “Justice for Our Girls,” is aimed at demanding accountability for the allegations and calling for stronger measures to protect students from sexual abuse and other forms of misconduct in educational institutions.

The demonstration was led by the party’s National Women’s Organiser, Mavis Hawa Koomson, who has taken a strong stance against the alleged abuse since the case became public.

She has argued that the issue goes beyond the accused headmaster and points to a broader institutional failure.

The demonstrators appealed to President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, to ensure justice for the affected students.

“These girls will never forgive us as a country if we fail them. It is their future, and we need to protect them. They must have confidence in Ghanaians and their leaders,” she said.

NPP Second Vice Chairman Nana Boakye and General Secretary Justin Frimpong Koduah, alongside other members of the party’s Women’s Wing, were also present at the demonstration.

The allegations, which include rape, sexual harassment and sexual assault involving the female students, have drawn widespread public concern and renewed calls for stronger measures to protect students in schools.

The Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service have all taken steps to address the matter. However, the NPP Women’s Wing says more needs to be done to ensure justice for the affected students.

About the case

The case came to national attention through JoyNews and investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni’s investigation into the allegations. Short promotional clips for the documentary began circulating on October 14, and the full documentary aired on October 19.

July 25, 2026: A student reports an alleged rape

According to a police account of the complaint, a 20-year-old Form Two student was allegedly sexually assaulted at the official bungalow of the headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, on July 25 after she was allegedly lured there.

The allegation later became a formal complaint to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service. The allegations against Mr Abdulai are still under investigation.

August 4-5, 2026: The complaint reaches DOVVSU, and unrest closes the school

On August 4, the student went to DOVVSU in Obuasi with her father and reported the alleged assault. Police say investigators then carried out a medical examination, reconstructed the scene, took photographs and got witness statements.

The next day, August 5, continuing students were sent home after disturbances on campus. The unrest followed students’ claims that they had found a fetus buried near the school’s refuse dump and that the headmaster was behind it.

Some students reportedly attacked him and vandalised school property, and Graphic Online reported that six students were arrested.

The closure disrupted classes and worried parents of continuing students, especially those preparing for the 2027 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

First-year students reported to school on September 18 for the new academic year.

October 13-14, 2026: The Education Minister orders the headmaster’s suspension

On the evening of October 13, a statement from the Ministry of Education said Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to suspend Mr Abdulai while investigations continue. The directive followed a JoyNews report on the allegations.

The minister also asked the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to investigate.

The next day, October 14, GES confirmed it had interdicted him. He was told to make himself available to help the inquiry and to hand over the running of the school to the Ashanti Regional Director of Education.