The Ghana Education Service has ordered two of its top officials in the Ashanti Region to step aside immediately over the sexual abuse allegations at Obuasi Senior High Technical School.
The affected officials are the Ashanti Regional Education Director, Dr William Amankrah Appiah, and the Obuasi Municipal Education Director, Kwamena Owusu-Nketiah.
A statement from GES on Tuesday, October 20, said the action is to guarantee an independent investigation into the alleged misconduct of the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, without any interference or perception of bias.
The Service has instructed the two directors to hand over their duties and all official properties to the Deputy Regional Director, Thomas Kwame Boateng, to act.
GES has also cautioned the public against false publications claiming that Mr Abdulai has been exonerated, insisting that his interdiction is still in effect.
Earlier, Mr Abdulai averred that he will use every legal means to clear his name as the probe into claims of sexual misconduct with female students continues.
In a statement also released on Tuesday, the interdicted headmaster expressed gratitude to his family, friends and supporters for standing by him. “I intend to devote my attention and resources to pursuing all lawful avenues to clear my name and vindicate my position,” he noted.
He added that he hopes to return to active politics once he is cleared. Mr Abdulai had earlier resigned as Juaben Constituency Secretary of the National Democratic Congress and pulled out of the chairmanship race following the allegations, but stressed that he remained committed to the party.
The case, said to involve over 14 female students, has sparked public outrage and demands for justice.
The Ministry of Education has since referred the matter to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service.
