In a Facebook post on Monday, October 19, 2026, accompanied by a photograph of Mr Abdulai, Juliet questioned his continued membership of the board and called on the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to address the matter.
“Why is this gentleman still on the board of the National Film Authority? Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, please tell us,” she wrote, adding the hashtags #YaaMusings and #JulietAsante.
Her post followed a lengthy Facebook statement published four days earlier under the title “THE NATIONAL FILM AUTHORITY MUST SPEAK”, in which she expressed concern about the allegations against Mr Abdulai and urged the Authority to clarify his status on the board.
“I have followed with deep concern the disturbing reports surrounding Zakaria Abdulai, headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, and the serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving female students currently under investigation,” she wrote.
She said the reports were particularly troubling given the number of students who had reportedly come forward and questions about how earlier complaints were handled.
Juliet questions NFA’s silence
Juliet explained that Mr Abdulai’s continued membership of the NFA board was of particular concern because he had served on the governing body during her tenure as the institution’s founding chief executive officer.
She said he initially represented the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) before being reappointed to the board inaugurated in August 2025, this time representing the Collective Management Organisation of Audiovisual Rights Owners (ARSOG).
“His association with the governance of the NFA therefore spans two board appointments,” she noted.
She questioned the responsibility of a public institution when one of its governing board members becomes the subject of serious allegations.
Juliet also expressed concern that the NFA had not publicly addressed Mr Abdulai’s position on the board or explained the implications of the allegations for the institution.
“Institutional silence in the face of allegations of this magnitude raises serious questions about accountability and public trust,” she said.
“The NFA owes the public and the audiovisual filmmaking community a clear response.”
She urged the Authority to reaffirm its commitment to ethical leadership and institutional integrity, clarify Mr Abdulai’s current board status, and explain the measures being taken or considered while investigations continue.
“Respecting due process does not absolve public institutions of their responsibility to demonstrate accountability,” she added.
Calls for stronger vetting of public board members
Beyond the immediate concerns surrounding Mr Abdulai, Juliet questioned the processes used to appoint individuals to public institution boards.
She raised concerns about the background checks and due diligence conducted before appointments, the ethical standards applied, and the mechanisms available to assess whether board members remain suitable to serve when serious allegations emerge.
“These are not ceremonial positions. Board members exercise oversight, influence policy, shape institutional direction and carry the responsibility of protecting the public interest,” she said.
She emphasised that the NFA, which is responsible for regulating, developing and promoting Ghana’s film industry, must uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability and public trust.
Juliet called on the NFA, its supervising ministry and the relevant appointing authorities to address the matter publicly, take appropriate action in accordance with the law, and strengthen the vetting and accountability mechanisms governing appointments to public boards.
She also stressed the need to protect the students involved and ensure a thorough and independent investigation.
“Above all, the young people at the centre of these allegations deserve protection, dignity, a thorough and independent investigation, and justice wherever wrongdoing is established,” she wrote.
She concluded: “Public trust is not maintained through silence. It is maintained through accountability.”
Abdulai has served on NFA board under two administrations
The current governing board of the National Film Authority was inaugurated in Accra on Monday, August 4, 2025.
Mr Abdulai represents ARSOG on the board. He previously served as a representative of FIPAG under the administration of former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
The first NFA board was inaugurated on December 20, 2019, with veteran actor David Dontoh as chairperson. Mr Abdulai was subsequently retained on the board inaugurated in October 2021.
The Authority operates under the Development and Classification of Film Act, 2016 (Act 935), which establishes its mandate to regulate, develop and promote Ghana’s film industry.
Headmaster interdicted over allegations
Mr Abdulai has come under scrutiny following a JoyNews investigation by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni into allegations of sexual harassment, assault and rape involving female students.
The documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, examined the allegations and how school authorities and other institutions handled complaints against him.
On October 13, 2026, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to interdict Mr Abdulai pending a full investigation. The minister also requested the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters of the Ghana Police Service to investigate the allegations.
The documentary reported that students, parents and teachers had submitted complaints to school management, education officials and other authorities before the headmaster’s interdiction.
The allegations remain under investigation, and the call for clarification over Mr Abdulai’s NFA board membership has renewed questions about accountability, ethical leadership and oversight in public institutions.
