General News
Concerned Citizens of Adansi Petition Otumfuo Over Obuasi SecTech Closure
Concerned Citizens of Adansi have petitioned His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, over the prolonged closure and interruption of academic activities at Obuasi Senior High Technical School, popularly known as Obuasi SecTech or OSECTECH.
In the petition dated September 8, 2026 and addressed to the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, the group appealed for the swift conclusion and appropriate public clarification of investigations into recent disturbances at the school, as well as the establishment of interim leadership and the immediate restoration of academic activities.
The petitioners said they approached the Asantehene with respect and an appeal for his intervention, guidance and support in finding a fair, peaceful and speedy resolution to the situation affecting the school.
They acknowledged the seriousness of allegations that have entered the public domain and stressed the need for the appropriate security, educational, administrative and judicial institutions to investigate the matter thoroughly, impartially and professionally.
The group made it clear that its petition was not intended to interfere with investigations, shield anyone from accountability or determine the guilt or innocence of any person.
According to the petition, serious disturbances reportedly occurred at Obuasi Senior High Technical School in August 2026 following allegations made by some students against the school’s Headmaster, Mr Abdulai Zakaria.
The petition referenced reports surrounding the discovery of a fetus in a bushy area at or near the school compound. Some students were reportedly said to have alleged that the headmaster had information concerning, or was connected to, circumstances surrounding the alleged burial.
The petition also referred to other publicly reported allegations involving ritual activities and inappropriate relationships between the headmaster and some female students.
According to the concerned citizens, the allegations generated considerable tension and eventually resulted in a violent confrontation on the school campus.
The Ghana Police Service subsequently intervened and commenced investigations into the allegations and the disturbances.
The petition further stated that reports indicated that the relevant area was secured and the remains retrieved for preservation and forensic examination.
The Ministry of Education was also said to have directed the Ghana Education Service to investigate the disturbances and apply appropriate disciplinary measures against persons found culpable.
The petitioners, however, stressed that all the issues referenced remain allegations and publicly reported claims, adding that neither Mr Abdulai Zakaria nor any other person should be declared guilty outside due process.
Call for public clarification
The Concerned Citizens of Adansi said the continuing uncertainty surrounding the matter had created anxiety among students, parents, guardians, old students, traditional authorities, educational stakeholders and the wider public.
They therefore appealed for appropriate public clarification on the status and progress of the investigations, where such information could legally be disclosed.
The group acknowledged that information that could compromise an ongoing criminal investigation may not be released immediately, but argued that responsible communication on matters that can safely be made public could help reduce rumours, restore confidence and reassure affected families.
The petitioners also raised concerns about the prolonged closure of the school, arguing that thousands of innocent students were losing valuable instructional time because of allegations involving specific individuals.
They maintained that accountability should be individualised and that students should not collectively suffer as a result of allegations against particular persons.
Concern over final-year students
The petitioners expressed particular concern about final-year students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
They said the loss of teaching, revision, supervision and examination preparation could put the students at an academic disadvantage through no fault of their own.
They therefore called for urgent measures to protect the students’ preparation and recover the instructional time lost as a result of the disruption.
The group also raised concerns about students who have newly been placed at Obuasi SecTech for the new academic year.
It said that while students placed in other schools were proceeding with admissions and preparations, parents whose children had been placed at Obuasi SecTech remained uncertain about admission arrangements.
With newly admitted students expected to report between September 18 and September 20, 2026, the petitioners said timely information and appropriate arrangements were necessary to prevent the affected students from being disadvantaged at the beginning of their Senior High School education.
Call for interim leadership and reopening
The Concerned Citizens of Adansi also appealed for competent interim leadership or another suitable administrative arrangement to be considered where necessary.
According to the group, such an arrangement could help restore stability, discipline, confidence, security and effective management at the school while investigations continue independently.
The petitioners argued that accountability and education can proceed simultaneously, stressing that investigations should not prevent authorities from taking practical steps to protect the educational future of innocent students.
They called for appropriate public clarification on the status and progress of the investigations where legally permissible, while urging that all investigations and legal processes continue independently, impartially and professionally without interference.
They further called for anyone found culpable after due process to face the appropriate criminal, disciplinary or administrative sanctions.
The group also appealed for interim leadership or administrative arrangements where necessary, immediate steps towards the safe and orderly reopening of the school, and measures to protect the educational rights, welfare, safety and dignity of innocent students.
The petitioners want final-year students to receive urgent academic support to recover lost instructional time and adequately prepare for their examinations.
They also called for clear admission arrangements for newly placed students and their parents, alongside appropriate security, counselling, disciplinary and welfare measures when the school reopens.
The group urged all relevant authorities to act with urgency to ensure that the prolonged interruption of education does not irreparably affect the students.
Appeal to Otumfuo
The petitioners reiterated that they were not calling for the abandonment of investigations or protection for anyone who may eventually be found culpable.
Instead, they said their main concern was that while justice takes its course, thousands of innocent students should not be deprived of their education.
They warned that the continued closure threatens the academic progress of students, the preparation of final-year candidates and the admission of newly placed students, while also affecting the sacrifices made by parents and guardians.
They described the matter as a concern not only for individual families but also for the wider Adansi community and stakeholders committed to education.
The petitioners therefore appealed to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to use his good offices to encourage the relevant authorities to act decisively, expeditiously and responsibly in the interest of the affected students.
The petition was signed by AC Nature, President of the Concerned Citizens of Adansi; Sammy Kofi Koduah, Vice President; and Mohammed Rahman, General Secretary.
Copies of the petition were also sent to the Adansihene and the Adansi Traditional Council, the Dompoasehene and Dompoase Divisional Council, the Akrokeri Hema and Akrokeri Traditional Council, as well as the Edubiase Divisional Council.
The petitioners ended their appeal by stressing the need for justice and accountability while calling for innocent students to be allowed to return to the classroom.