Soroptimist International Ghana has called for justice and immediate support for students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) following allegations of rape and sexual assault involving the school’s headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.
The organisation’s statement came after investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni’s documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, reported claims that female students had been lured to the headmaster’s bungalow, abused and threatened into silence.
The documentary also alleged that earlier complaints made by students and the Girl Child Coordinator were not acted upon.
In a joint statement issued on October 28, 2026, and signed by the presidents of Soroptimist International Ghana’s clubs across the country, the organisation said it had watched the documentary with “profound distress”.
It stressed, however, that Mr Abdulai had not been convicted and that the allegations remained under investigation by the Ghana Police Service CID and DOVVSU.
“We wish to state clearly that Mr Zakaria Abdulai has not been found guilty of the offence. The allegations against him are currently under criminal investigation by the Ghana Police Service – CID and DOVVSU. He is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction,” the statement said.
Soroptimist International Ghana, a global service organisation focused on educating, empowering and enabling women and girls, set out three areas of action.
It called for immediate psychosocial support, legal assistance, protection from retaliation and strict confidentiality for the affected students. Although the allegations concern girls, the organisation said its wider demand for safety applied to every learner at Obuasi SHTS.
The group welcomed the interdiction of the headmaster by the Ghana Education Service (GES), along with the referral of the case to the CID by the Minister of Education.
It urged DOVVSU, CID, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, CHRAJ and the Legal Aid Commission to carry out a prompt, victim-sensitive investigation and pursue prosecution if the evidence supports it.
Calls for changes in schools
Soroptimist International Ghana described the alleged failure to respond to earlier complaints as a systemic failure. Alongside NETRIGHT and other women’s rights groups, it called for adults who have sexual contact with learners to be prosecuted and permanently barred.
It also demanded an end to the transfer of teachers accused of sexual misconduct, a ban on using students as domestic help in staff homes, and the publication of data on sexual misconduct in schools.
The organisation further called for every school to have a trained officer responsible for child protection and safeguarding.
“The education of a girl is the empowerment of a nation. When a child’s safety in school is violated, their future is stolen. We cannot accept a culture of silence and impunity, especially when victims are poor, ordinary children facing powerful figures,” the statement said.
The organisation appealed to the media and public to treat the alleged victims with dignity and avoid disclosing their identities.
It said it would continue monitoring the case and supporting the students of Obuasi SHTS and all survivors of sexual violence until justice is served.
The statement was jointly signed by Dedo Mate-Kodjo, President of Accra Club; Vivien Akumia, President of Kumasi Club; Googie Nunoo, President of Tema Club; and Dr Lady Baaba Allotey, President of Drussia-Takoradi Club.
