Manasseh Azure conspired with 8 teachers to tarnish my image and destroy my reputation – Obuasi Head

In an Official Facebook Post on 23 October 2026, Accra-based radio station Neat FM reported on dramatic defensive claims made by Zakaria Abdulai, the former headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS). Abdulai forcefully denied grave allegations of sexual harassment and administrative misconduct, publicly accusing renowned investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni of conspiring with internal faculty members to orchestrate a targeted smear campaign against him.

Directly responding to the investigative exposé that led to his removal and ongoing official inquiries, the former headmaster asserted that the allegations were manufactured by disgruntled staff members within the institution: “Manasseh Azure Awuni conspired with eight teachers at my school to create this in a deliberate attempt to tarnish my image and destroy my reputation.” Abdulai insisted that the documentary findings were the product of internal administrative rivalry and personal vendettas rather than authentic student grievances, claiming that a faction of teachers actively collaborated with the investigative team to engineer his professional ruin.

The former headmaster’s explosive counter-allegations come against the backdrop of nationwide public outrage and intense institutional scrutiny following the broadcast of Manasseh Azure Awuni’s investigative report. The documentary exposed harrowing account details of alleged sexual harassment, coercion, and systematic administrative cover-ups within Obuasi SHTS. The revelations previously triggered swift regulatory interventions from the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), and national security agencies, resulting in administrative reshuffles, suspension of key officers, and formal criminal investigations by state law enforcement agencies to establish accountability and protect student welfare.

Observers note that Abdulai’s public defense represents a familiar posture among high-profile public officials facing severe investigative exposure. By framing the investigative work as a coordinated conspiracy involving internal whistleblowers and external media figures, the former headmaster seeks to cast doubt on the evidentiary integrity of the report. However, civil society organizations, child rights advocates, and legal experts have emphasized that investigative journalism serves as a vital tool for institutional accountability, noting that allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors must be thoroughly tested by statutory law enforcement bodies rather than dismissed through media deflections.

At its core, the statement highlights the profound institutional crisis surrounding secondary school management and child safeguarding protocols in Ghana. Abdulai’s assertions underscore the fierce battle for public perception between accused institutional heads and investigative journalists whose exposures bring systemic abuse to light. The situation highlights the urgent necessity for independent, transparent, and rigorous police investigations to separate administrative infighting from actual criminal culpability.

The Neat FM social media report has sparked widespread reaction and heated commentary across social media platforms. While a few defenders called for due process and a fair hearing for the former headmaster, the overwhelming majority of online commentators and educational stakeholders urged law enforcement agencies not to be distracted by counter-claims. Citizens called on the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Education to focus squarely on the recorded testimony of victims, ensure witness protection for the teachers who came forward, and deliver decisive justice. As state investigative bodies continue their inquiries, the controversy remains a focal point in national discussions concerning child safety, institutional integrity, and ethics in public education.

Source: Neat FM, Official Facebook Post, 23 October 2026