By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed the Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr William Amankrah Appiah, and the Obuasi East Municipal Director of Education, Mr Kwamena Owusu-Nketiah, to step aside with immediate effect as investigations continue into allegations of sexual misconduct involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Mr Zakaria Abdulai.
In a press release dated October 20, 2026, and signed by the Head of Public Relations at GES, Daniel Fenyi, management said the decision was intended to ensure that the investigations proceeded without potential interference or the perception of interference.
The directive requires both directors to hand over their offices and all state property in their possession to the Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Mr Thomas Kwame Boateng.
GES also confirmed that the headmaster remains interdicted, warning the public to disregard reports circulating that he had been cleared.
The latest development comes after the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) disclosed that 38 teachers at Obuasi SHTS were targeted for transfer after reportedly speaking out about the sexual misconduct allegations involving the headmaster.
GES Explains Decision to Remove Directors From Their Duties
According to the official statement, the decision to have the two education directors step aside forms part of measures being taken to facilitate the ongoing investigation into the allegations.
The service indicated that the move was necessary to ensure the process could proceed without possible interference or any perception that the investigation was being influenced.
The directive does not, in itself, establish wrongdoing on the part of either director. Their roles in the handling of the matter remain subject to the relevant investigative process.
As part of the arrangements, Dr Amankrah Appiah and Mr Owusu-Nketiah are required to hand over their offices and all state property in their possession to Mr Thomas Kwame Boateng, who serves as Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of Education.
The handover is intended to allow the administrative arrangements to proceed while the investigation continues.
GES has not, in the statement, announced any final findings against the two directors.
Headmaster Remains Interdicted
GES has also clarified that Mr Zakaria Abdulai, the headmaster of Obuasi SHTS, remains interdicted amid the ongoing investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations.
The service specifically urged the public to disregard reports suggesting that the headmaster had been cleared.
The clarification indicates that the investigative process remains ongoing and that no clearance has been announced by the GES in the statement.
The allegations against the headmaster have attracted attention to the handling of misconduct complaints within educational institutions and the responsibility of authorities to ensure that such matters are investigated thoroughly.
However, the allegations must be distinguished from established findings, and the outcome of the investigation will be necessary to determine the facts of the case.
NAGRAT Alleges 38 Teachers Were Targeted for Transfer
The developments follow concerns raised by the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) over the reported treatment of teachers at Obuasi SHTS.
NAGRAT President Thomas Anaba disclosed that 38 teachers at the school were targeted for transfer after reportedly speaking out about the allegations involving the headmaster.
According to Anaba, the teachers were directed to leave the school in September 2026, following the emergence of allegations that reportedly date back to 2025.
The disclosure has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the proposed transfers and whether the teachers’ reported actions were connected to the directives.
If the transfers were intended to punish teachers for raising concerns about alleged misconduct, the matter would raise serious questions about staff welfare, fairness and the protection of individuals who report suspected wrongdoing.
However, further information is needed to establish the precise reasons for the transfer directives, whether formal transfer letters were issued to all 38 teachers and the explanations provided by the relevant authorities.
The GES press release dated October 20 does not specifically address the reported transfers involving the 38 teachers. Their situation therefore remains a separate issue requiring clarification.
Calls for a Thorough and Transparent Investigation
The developments at Obuasi SHTS have placed renewed attention on the responsibility of education authorities to handle allegations of misconduct fairly and transparently.
The investigation will need to establish the facts surrounding the allegations against the headmaster and examine the circumstances that led to the administrative actions taken in the case.
Questions have also emerged about how the concerns were initially handled, what steps were taken by the relevant authorities and whether the reported transfer directives involving the teachers were justified.
For NAGRAT, the allegations concerning the 38 teachers highlight the importance of ensuring that educators can raise concerns about possible wrongdoing without facing unfair treatment.
At the same time, all individuals involved in the case are entitled to fair treatment, and conclusions about responsibility should be based on the findings of the investigation rather than allegations or speculation.
In its statement, GES called on the public to remain calm, support the process and cooperate as the investigation continues.
GES Calls for Calm as Investigations Continue
The latest directive marks a significant administrative development in the Obuasi SHTS matter, with two senior education officials required to step aside and the headmaster remaining interdicted.
The service has made clear that the investigation is still ongoing and has cautioned against reports suggesting that the headmaster has been cleared.
Attention will now turn to the findings of the investigation and any further decisions the GES may announce regarding the headmaster, the two education directors and the wider circumstances surrounding the case.
The outcome may also help clarify questions surrounding the reported transfer of the 38 teachers and the handling of the allegations within the school and the education administration.
For now, GES says the investigation must proceed without potential interference, while the public has been urged to exercise calm and cooperate with the process.
The case remains under investigation, and further developments are expected as the Ghana Education Service works to establish the facts.
