The National Democratic Congress (NDC) said on Thursday that it will not shield the suspended headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, over allegations of sexual abuse, insisting that law enforcement agencies must conduct an independent and thorough investigation.
Addressing the media at the party’s headquarters in the national capital, Accra, General Secretary Fifi Kwetey said the party would not interfere in the investigation and wanted the truth to be established.
“We do not endorse any such conduct, and we want the law enforcement to do an independent job. We are sure they will, and this party would not in any way interfere,” he said.
Mr Kwetey said the party would accept the outcome of the investigation, adding that the headmaster would face the consequences if found guilty.
“We want the truth to be brought out. On the back of the truth, the country would have clear assurance that as a party and as government, we do not cover anybody. If he’s found guilty, he’ll pay the price. If he’s not guilty, we’ll be happy for him,” he stated.
The NDC General Secretary also addressed questions about the party’s initial position that the headmaster should withdraw, followed by its subsequent call for him to be given the opportunity to clear his name in line with the presumption of innocence.
He explained that the party did not have access to the full details of investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni’s report when it first took a position on the matter.
“The party unfortunately did not have access to Manasseh’s comprehensive disclosure as at Monday on his radio program. Manasseh aired his video and his tapes the evening of that day,” he said.
Mr Kwetey said the party reconsidered its position after reviewing the material aired by the journalist.
“Soon after watching those tapes comprehensively, it was clear that our earlier decision needed to be changed. And that actually is what saw the change of the decision as you saw happen on Tuesday even before midday,” he added.
Mr Kwetey also condemned remarks allegedly made by an NDC communication officer in Amasaman while defending the situation.
He said the comments did not represent the party’s position on sexual abuse and related offences.
“One of our own, unfortunately, a communication officer, in his attempt to want to defend, said things that absolutely must be condemned—that absolutely have nothing to do with this party,” he said.
The General Secretary reiterated that the NDC did not endorse rape, sexual misconduct or sexual abuse, regardless of who was involved.
He said the communicator had apologised and that the party expected the apology to be clearly communicated.
“So any officer who may have spoken clearly is not speaking on behalf of this party. Personal responsibility is his. I think he’s had the decency of apologizing, and we expect that the apology will be loud. The party endorses no such communication at any time,” he said.
The NDC’s comments come amid growing public concern over allegations of sexual abuse at Obuasi SHTS, with the number of students reported to have made allegations rising to 16.
The headmaster remains suspended by the Ghana Education Service pending the outcome of investigations.
The police have forwarded the case docket to the Attorney-General’s Office for study and advice. The review is expected to inform decisions on the next steps, including whether criminal charges should be pursued.
Investigations by the Ghana Education Service and the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service are also ongoing. Enditem
