Bagbin Condemns Politicians Backing Obuasi SHS Headmaster Accused of Abuse

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has strongly criticised politicians who are allegedly trying to protect Zakaria Abdulai, the interdicted head of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct.

Addressing the House on Tuesday, November 10, Mr Bagbin described people who would shield the headmaster as "cheap men". He cautioned political leaders that they could suffer serious consequences if they tried to undermine the process, as first reported by Citi News.

"It’s only cheap men who do that," the Speaker said. He urged Ghanaians to turn away from such behaviour and do what is right. He argued that no society had developed by doing wrong, and that developed countries hold values such as integrity and honesty in very high regard.

Mr Bagbin said he was troubled by how some politicians had responded to the allegations, claiming that some had acted as though the matter was of no consequence. According to him, some people had even tried to back the accused headmaster in a bid for a leadership position.

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"What saddened me was the attitude of politicians. They treated it as if nothing happened," he said, adding that such conduct should not be encouraged.

The Speaker said Parliament was following the case closely to make sure justice was done, especially for the students involved. He warned that political leaders who did not treat the matter seriously would be punished severely over it.

"Leadership is a service, it is a sacrifice," Mr Bagbin said.

He also called on the Attorney General to consider a review of current laws so that tougher penalties could be introduced to discourage sexual abuse offences.

Separately, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has said investigations into the allegations at the school are 85 per cent complete. According to the minister, the evidence collected so far points to a possible prima facie case against the headmaster.

Mr Iddrisu explained that a committee set up by the Ministry of Education to look into the matter was close to finishing its work. He said the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service was dealing with the criminal side of the case, including allegations of sexual assault involving some students.

Mr Abdulai has not been convicted of any offence, and the investigations are ongoing.