Zakaria Abdulai faces calls for disqualification from NDC constituency race

Prominent voices within and outside the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are calling for the immediate disqualification of Zakaria Abdulai from the party’s upcoming constituency elections. Abdulai, the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), is currently facing allegations of sexually abusing 16 students. The calls for his removal from the political race follow his interdiction by the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the commencement of a formal police investigation into the matter.

Former NDC Member of Parliament Peter Kwakye Ackah has been a leading voice in the demand for action, arguing that the party’s vetting committee must bar Abdulai to protect the NDC’s reputation. Speaking on Adom TV, Ackah emphasized that party membership should never serve as a shield for individuals accused of such heinous crimes. He warned that allowing Abdulai to contest for a constituency leadership position would cause significant damage to the party's image and urged high-ranking officials, including President John Mahama and the Minister of Education, to ensure justice is served.

International corporate lawyer Victoria Bright has also joined the call, urging the NDC to formally dissociate itself from the embattled headmaster. Bright characterized Abdulai’s attempt to seek political office while under such serious scrutiny as a breach of public trust. She argued that individuals facing allegations of this nature should not be allowed to gain political influence, stressing that the priority must remain the protection of students and the integrity of the legal process. Bright insisted on full accountability through the courts if the allegations are proven true.

The scandal has already had severe repercussions at Obuasi SHTS, where student unrest led to the damage of school property and the temporary closure of the institution. As the police and the GES continue their respective investigations, the NDC is under increasing pressure to demonstrate its commitment to child safety and ethical leadership by preventing Abdulai from participating in the internal party polls.