The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has directed Zakaria Abdulai, the suspended headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), to step aside from the Juaben Constituency Chairmanship race pending an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and signed by General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the party said its Functional Executive Committee (FEC) took the decision 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 party clarified that the directive should not be interpreted as a determination of the allegations against Mr Abdulai.

“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 NDC said it expected the CID to conduct a thorough, fair and expeditious investigation and would be guided by the outcome.

The party also directed the Ashanti Regional Election Committee and the Juaben Constituency Election Committee to take note of the decision and act accordingly.

The directive follows criticism from civil society organisations, including RISE-Ghana, over the party’s earlier decision to clear Mr Abdulai to contest the constituency chairmanship.

RISE-Ghana had warned that allowing him to contest could undermine survivors’ hopes for justice and called on the party to demonstrate a duty of care towards children while respecting due process.

Mr Abdulai was suspended by the Ghana Education Service following allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi SHTS. The allegations were highlighted in an investigation by Joynews journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, with the number of students reportedly alleging abuse rising to 16.

The Education Ministry has directed the CID to investigate the allegations.

Mr Abdulai’s decision to step aside from the constituency chairmanship race comes as the police investigation proceeds.

The NDC has said it will consider the outcome of the probe in determining its next steps. Source: Myjoyonline.com