The number of students who have reportedly made allegations of sexual abuse involving the suspended headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, has risen to 19, investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has disclosed.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe on Sunday, October 18, 2026, Manasseh said three additional students had come forward since the previous count, bringing the total number of reported cases identified during his investigation from 16 to 19.
“From yesterday, my sources at the school told me the number has grown to 19. So way more names have come up, and it is likely there will be more, because some didn’t give a report,” he said.
The latest development follows revelations in Manasseh’s documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow, which examined allegations against Abdulai.
During an interview on Joy FM on Thursday, October 15, the journalist explained that the initial information he received concerned five students. After visiting the school to investigate, the number rose to 14, with two more students subsequently coming forward to bring the total to 16 before the latest reports emerged.
Manasseh said the case was particularly troubling because it brought back memories of a similar incident at the same school in 2018, involving a senior housemaster who was dismissed.
“I’ve been to Obuasi twice. First in 2018, and this is my second time visiting Obuasi. The first visit was about allegations of sexual assault in the same school,” he said.
The journalist explained that after returning from studies abroad, he received a message from a source at the school indicating that the situation had worsened. He was also told that attempts had been made to reach him while he was away.
He said investigating the latest allegations had been more challenging because they involve the headmaster, who occupies the highest administrative position at the school.
Manasseh also expressed concern that the allegations were reportedly known within the Obuasi community, including among some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), despite what he described as reluctance by some people to speak publicly.
The growing number of reported cases has intensified scrutiny of the school and the response to the allegations. However, the claims against Abdulai remain subject to investigation, and the reported number of students should not be taken as a determination of guilt.
