Abdulai Zakaria
The Headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), Abdulai Zakaria, is battling for his life at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) after he was allegedly beaten by angry students over claims that he secretly buried the body of a newborn baby on the school’s campus.
The violent attack, which has thrown the school into turmoil and prompted a major police operation, also resulted in the arrest of six students, while authorities are considering the indefinite closure of the school to restore calm.
Mr. Zakaria, who reportedly sustained severe head and body injuries, is receiving treatment at the Emergency Unit of KATH after being referred from a health facility in Obuasi.
The incident is said to have unfolded in the early hours of Monday when some students allegedly spotted the headmaster carrying an object wrapped in a white cloth towards a refuse dump near one of the school’s dormitories.
According to accounts gathered by investigators, the students later searched the area and claimed to have uncovered what they believed to be the body of a newborn baby buried in a shallow grave.
The discovery quickly spread across the campus, fuelling outrage among the students.
When the headmaster, accompanied by some teachers, later visited the scene following the reports, a group of agitated students allegedly descended on him, subjecting him to a severe beating before police and other security personnel intervened and rescued him.
Authorities have not confirmed the students’ claims, and investigators are yet to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged discovery. Police have urged the public to refrain from speculation while investigations continue.
The Obuasi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Faustilove Appiah Kannin, confirmed the incident and said the headmaster was initially admitted to the AngloGold Ashanti Hospital in Obuasi before being transferred to KATH.
She said the severity of his injuries necessitated the referral, adding that security had since been reinforced on the school’s campus to prevent further violence.
According to the MCE, boarding students have been directed to remain in their dormitories, while day students have been asked to stay away from the school until further notice.
She disclosed that the Municipal Directorate of Education, the Municipal Assembly and other stakeholders would meet to determine the next course of action, including the possible temporary closure of the school.
Meanwhile, police have arrested six students in connection with the alleged assault on the headmaster.
The suspects are assisting with investigations, while police officers have been deployed to the campus to maintain law and order.
Reports indicate that the violence extended beyond the assault, with some students allegedly vandalising three staff bungalows, vehicles and other property during the disturbances.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has directed the Ghana Education Service (GES) to investigate the violent disturbance at the school.
The Ministry described the attack on Headmaster Abdulai Zakaria as “reprehensible and criminal”, insisting that acts of violence have no place in Ghana’s educational institutions.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apak, the Ministry said the incident must be thoroughly investigated and addressed in accordance with existing education sector regulations.
“The Ministry considers this act of violence and lawlessness as reprehensible and criminal. Such conduct has no place within Ghana’s educational institutions and will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” the statement said.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah & David Afum, Kumasi