Education
Why is Red Wednesday trending on social media in Ghana?
If your timeline is full of red today, 21 October, this is why. Activists have declared today “Red Wednesday” and are asking Ghanaians to wear red to show support for the female students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS). The students are at the centre of sexual abuse allegations against the school’s headmaster. The […]
manuel ·Oct 21, 2026 ·3 min read
If your timeline is full of red today, 21 October, this is why.
Activists have declared today “Red Wednesday” and are asking Ghanaians to wear red to show support for the female students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS). The students are at the centre of sexual abuse allegations against the school’s headmaster. The online call reads “Wear Red on Wednesday: Justice for Obuasi SHTS Girls.”
The campaign wants to keep the public watching and push the authorities responsible for protecting students to act.
What is the case about?
Several female students have accused the headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai, of sexual misconduct. The case became national news after reports by Joy News investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni. People have since called for a thorough investigation and for any student who may have been abused to get protection and support.
Where things stand
- The headmaster was earlier interdicted after Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu gave a directive. The minister also asked the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to look into the allegations.
- Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka said on Tuesday that Mr Abdulai has been arrested and is going through due process.
- The investigation has been moved to Police Headquarters in Accra, where investigators are following the legal steps needed for DNA testing.
- Police say a case docket on a rape complaint filed by one student on 4 August has been sent to the Attorney-General for study and advice. They say the docket covers that one complaint only, and the other allegations still need further investigation.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
Who is speaking up
The call has spread fast online. Oheneyere Gifty Anti, Manasseh Azure Awuni, Kokui Salomey, Felicity Nelson, Tima Kumkum and Kofi Asare have all posted about it. So have the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy at the University of Ghana and ActionAid Ghana. The Aya Institute for Women, Politics and Media has also welcomed peaceful public solidarity, including Red Wednesday.
What campaigners want
For the people behind Red Wednesday, this goes beyond one school. They want:
- A fair and credible investigation into the allegations.
- The names and welfare of the alleged victims protected.
- Anyone found to have done wrong, or helped cover it up, to be held accountable under the law.
- Stronger protection for students in schools.
- Complaints of sexual abuse to be taken seriously.
There are also questions about whether warnings raised before the story became public were handled properly by the school and education authorities.
How you can join
Wear red today and share the message online. The campaign keeps the focus on the safety and experience of the girls while the investigation goes on.
