{
  "id": 15905184,
  "title": "The Obuasi SHTS Scandal: Allegations, suspensions, and the politics of accountability",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/the-obuasi-shts-scandal-allegations-suspensions-and-the-politics-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T14:43:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/the-obuasi-shts-scandal-allegations-suspensions-and-the-politics-of-accountability/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Zakaria Abdulai, faces allegations of sexual misconduct involving female students. The controversy came to light after a JoyNews investigation by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, which found that complaints had been made months before the headmaster's suspension. Five girls reported alleged sexual assault to the Obuasi West Municipal Director of Education in March 2026, three of whom submitted written complaints. The school's Girl Child Coordinator and safeguarding teacher also petitioned management for an investigation. Parents and the school's old students' association had also approached authorities over the allegations. The September unrest at the school, which followed the discovery of a suspected foetus on the campus, escalated into violence against the headmaster and damage to school property. A committee subsequently investigated the disturbances and related concerns, including allegations of sexual harassment. The committee found that sexual harassment allegations did not substantiate the evidence presented, with only four out of 16 girls attending. The headmaster has denied the allegations and intends to use lawful means to clear his name. The Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) have suspended the headmaster pending investigations, with the GES referring the matter to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service. The GES also directed two other regional directors to step aside to ensure interference-free investigations.",
  "summary": "At a school, the headmaster is expected to be a figure of authority, discipline and protection. Parents entrust their children to educational institutions believing that teachers and school administrators will help them learn, grow and remain safe. But allegations of sexual misconduct involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, have […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "‘What else do we want before taking action?’ – Abena Osei Asare questions police’s handling of Obuasi SHTS case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/what-else-do-we-want-before-taking-action-abena-osei-asare-questions",
        "published": "2026-10-21T10:14:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Obuasi SHTS abuse allegations: Education Ministry knew nothing until exposé – Dr. Apaak",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/obuasi-shts-abuse-allegations-education-ministry-knew-nothing-until-15883506",
        "published": "2026-10-21T12:04:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}