University of Ghana senior lecturers suspended for an inappropriate relationship with students
Accra, Ghana – Two senior lecturers at the University of Ghana (UG) has been suspended for their involvement in what was dubbed “Sex for Grades.” The suspension, which comes without pay took effect from January 1, 2020.
Professor Ransford Gyampo and Dr Paul Butakor have been suspended for six months and four months respectively for their roles in a sexual harassment scandal uncovered by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in October 2019. The lecturers were accused of soliciting sex in order to extend some advantages to female students in a documentary by BBC.
The statement released to the press by the Director of Public Affairs of UG, Stella A Amoa on February 17, 2020, said: “Prof Gyampo and Dr Butakor are required to undergo appropriate training on the University of Ghana’s Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy as well as the Code of Conduct for Academic Staff of the University of Ghana.”
According to the press release, “They will be required to receive a positive assessment after the training before the resumption of their duties. They are also required to undergo an annual assessment for a period of 5 years.”
Following the BBC allegations of Sexual Harassment allegations against Prof Gyampo and Dr Butakor, the university instructed retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Vida Akoto-Bamfo, to chair the investigation committee. The committee found that the lecturers had contravened the Code of Conduct for Academic Senior Members, and as a result, made its recommendation to the Disciplinary Committee for Senior Members.
The press release states that “Management has accepted the recommendations of the Senior Members’ Disciplinary Committee and has informed Prof. Gyampo and Dr Butakor accordingly.”
The statement further assured stakeholders that any acts of misconduct, sexual harassment or any other form of harassment will not be tolerated among students and employees of the university.
In the television documentary produced by the BBC Africa Eye in October 2019, the BBC reported that it has uncovered sexual harassment at the University of Lagos (Nigeria) and the University of Ghana. As a result, female undercover reporters were sent to the campuses of universities in both countries where the harassments occurred and recorded some unprofessional behaviours using secret video cameras. The footage shows that students were sexually harassed and put under undue pressure by senior lecturers in order to attain higher grades.