The headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Zakaria Abdulai, has sued investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni and Multimedia Group Limited, demanding GH¢2 million in damages over publications he claims defamed him.
In a writ of summons and statement of claim filed at the High Court in Accra, Abdulai is asking the court to declare statements allegedly made and published by the defendants as false, malicious and defamatory.
The suit, dated October 16, 2026, concerns publications the plaintiff says were aired and published in May 2023 on Multimedia Group platforms, including Joy FM, Adom FM, MyJoyOnline and Joy TV. The court documents identify the programmes involved as the Super Morning Show and its midmorning show.
Abdulai, a Director of Education with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Juaben Constituency, alleges that the publications accused him of sexually harassing female students at Obuasi SHTS.
He further claims that the reports alleged a female student who had suffered sexual abuse presented a pair of shorts stained with his semen to Manasseh Azure Awuni.
According to Abdulai, the allegations were published without sufficient evidence and have seriously damaged his reputation as an educationist, school head and political figure.
Headmaster challenges allegations
In his statement of claim, Abdulai also refers to accusations allegedly made by some teachers at the school in August 2026. He claims those accusations were found to be false by a disciplinary body established by the GES.
He further argues that the allegations contributed to his interdiction from office following a recommendation by the Minister of Education.
Abdulai contends that the publications portrayed him as a sexual offender and an unsuitable person to lead a school, affecting his professional standing and personal reputation. He also claims the reports caused damage to his marriage.
The claims form the basis of his legal action against the journalist and the media organisation.
GH¢2m damages and injunction sought
Abdulai is asking the court to award him GH¢2 million in special damages, alongside general damages for defamation and the costs of the suit.
He is also seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent the defendants from making or publishing further statements he considers defamatory.
The writ directs the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after service, including the day of service. It warns that the court may proceed to enter judgment in their absence if they fail to comply.
The case places the disputed publications before the court, where the parties’ respective positions can be considered through the legal process.
The claims in the suit represent Abdulai’s allegations and have not, by themselves, established that the defendants committed defamation. The court documents available do not contain a response from Manasseh Azure Awuni or Multimedia Group Limited.
