The Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed the Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Dr. William Amankra Appiah, to step aside with immediate effect amid ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct involving the Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Mr. Zakaria Abdulai.
The directive was contained in a press release issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Ghana Education Service on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The statement also directed the Obuasi East Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Kwame Owusu-Nketiah, to step aside as investigations into the matter continue.
GES Directs Two Education Directors to Step Aside
According to the statement, the decision forms part of measures to ensure that the ongoing investigations proceed without potential interference or the perception of interference.
The two directors have consequently been instructed to hand over their offices and all state property in their possession to the Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Mr. Thomas Kwame Boateng.
The directive takes immediate effect, according to the statement signed by Mr. Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations at the Ghana Education Service.
Investigation into Obuasi SHTS Matter
The development follows ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Mr. Zakaria Abdulai.
GES indicated that the decision to ask the two directors to step aside is intended to protect the integrity of the investigation and prevent circumstances that could undermine the process.
The statement did not provide further details about the alleged misconduct or indicate when the investigations are expected to be completed.
It is important to note that the allegations remain subject to investigation, and the directive asking the education directors to step aside should not, in itself, be interpreted as a finding of wrongdoing against them.
Headmaster Remains Interdicted – GES
The GES statement further clarified that the headmaster of Obuasi SHTS remains interdicted.
Management therefore urged the public to disregard reports circulating that Mr. Zakaria Abdulai had been cleared of the allegations.
The Service reaffirmed that the investigation is ongoing and called for calm, support and cooperation as the process continues.
GES Calls for Calm and Cooperation
The Ghana Education Service has appealed to the public and relevant stakeholders to remain calm and cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
The decision to ask the Ashanti Regional Director of Education and the Obuasi East Municipal Director of Education to step aside underscores the Service’s stated intention to allow the investigation to proceed without potential interference.
Further developments are expected as the investigation progresses and the Ghana Education Service provides additional information.
