The number of students who have reported alleged sexual abuse involving suspended Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS) headmaster Zakaria Abdulai has risen to 19, investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has disclosed.
The latest figure represents an increase from the 16 cases previously identified, following reports that three more students have come forward with allegations.
“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,” Manasseh said on JoyNews’ The Probe on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
The journalist initially received information involving five students. However, during a visit to the school as part of his investigation, the number rose to 14. Two more students subsequently came forward, bringing the total to 16 before the latest reports emerged.
Manasseh discussed the allegations on Joy FM on Thursday, October 15, while speaking about his documentary, Inside the Dreaded Headmaster’s Bungalow.
He said the case was particularly troubling because it followed a similar incident at the same school in 2018, when a senior housemaster was dismissed over sexual assault allegations.
“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.
Manasseh explained that he returned to the issue after receiving a message from a source at the school following his studies abroad. The source indicated that the situation had worsened and that attempts had been made to reach him while he was away.
He said investigating the current allegations had been more difficult because they involve the headmaster, who holds the highest administrative position at the school.
The journalist also raised concerns that the allegations were reportedly known within the Obuasi community, including among some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), but that some people had been reluctant to speak publicly about them.
