A nine-member panel from the Ghana Education Service’s Ashanti Regional Directorate has concluded that the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School was not directly linked to the burial of a foetus on the school compound. According to MyJoyOnline, the inquiry into the August 2026 disturbances found that no student or teacher who testified saw Zakaria Abdulai burying the remains. The committee noted that the claim linking him to the site lacked direct proof, as the specific location was difficult to reach by vehicle.
MyJoyOnline reported that the unrest began on 4 August 2026 after what looked like baby remains was found on the grounds. The panel established that housemasters learned of the find around midday, while the specific accusation against the headmaster surfaced later that evening. Investigators noted that the Assistant Headmaster for domestic affairs led a group to the site, where the remains were dug up and reburied before Abdulai was notified at approximately 11.30 p.m.
Beyond the foetus, the committee identified deeper structural issues within the school. MyJoyOnline reported that the panel found teacher factions such as “Parliament” and “Caucus” were weakening staff cohesion. Additionally, student groups like “4KT” and “Stitches” were found to encourage indiscipline and intimidation. The report suggested dissolving these informal groups and managing unauthorised staff associations to stop them from acting as parallel power centres.
The inquiry also examined the conduct of Kwasi Brefo, the school’s sports master. The committee found that Brefo encouraged students to chase and strike the headmaster during the protest. Although Brefo claimed he tried to stop the assault, the report stated he significantly worsened the situation by telling Abdulai to confess to the burial while the attack was ongoing. The panel recommended that staff and students whose behaviour raised concerns be sent to disciplinary hearings.
The committee’s findings are distinct from a new GES probe launched after a JoyNews report on a separate sexual abuse claim against the headmaster. The panel, which began work on 11 August, cited weak security, staff splits and a loss of trust as the root causes of the school’s administrative struggles.