GES directs Ashanti regional, Obuasi East educational directors to step aside over Obuasi SHS sex allegations

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 Kwame Owusu-Nketiah, to step aside with immediate effect amid ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai.

The directive, contained in a statement issued by the GES on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, is intended to ensure that the investigations proceed without any potential interference or the perception of interference.

According to the GES, the two directors have 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 development comes as investigations continue into allegations of sexual misconduct involving Mr Abdulai, who remains interdicted.

The GES also cautioned the public against reports suggesting that the headmaster had been cleared of the allegations.

“The headmaster also remains interdicted. Therefore, the public is urged to ignore any news making the rounds that the headmaster has been cleared,” the statement said.

The Service said the decision to direct the two education directors to step aside forms part of measures to safeguard the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

“The decision is intended to ensure that the investigations proceed without potential interference, nor the perception of it,” it said.

The GES has called for calm, support and cooperation from stakeholders as the investigation into the matter continues.