#SexForGrades:University of Ghana Interdicts Lecturers Exposed in Undercover Documentary

The University of Ghana has interdicted political science lecturer Professor Ransford Gyampo and Dr. Paul Kwame Butakor over the BBC’s sex for grades investigative piece.

The two lecturers were accused in the BBC investigative piece of taking advantage of their positions to harass students sexually.

In a statement, the University which has defended the lecturers in the sex for grades allegations said “The University of Ghana’s attention has been drawn to a BBC documentary entitled ‘Sex for Grades’ Undercover in West African Universities fully aired in the evening of October 7, 2019.  We would like to state unequivocally that the University places great importance on issues of sexual harassment and misconduct, and condemn any of such acts.

“Given that commitment, the Business and Executive Committee of the University has taken a decision to interdict Prof. Ransford Gyampo and Dr. Paul Kwame Butakor, the two lecturers featured in the documentary to allow for further investigations into the matter.  In line with University regulations, the two will be invited by the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee in the next few days to assist with further investigations into the BBC documentary”.

The statement added: “While the University of Ghana believes sexual harassment is fundamentally about exploiting power imbalance and voicelessness, we also understand the harmful impact it has on individuals, families and institutions. It is for this reason that the University has taken steps to encourage students and employees to report any form of sexual harassment and misconduct, and has also instituted measures to punish anyone found guilty of the offence. In all instances where the University has been provided with information and/or evidence of sexual harassment or misconduct, our Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee has investigated the matter, interviewed the parties involved, and after making a determination, we have applied the appropriate sanctions as outlined in the policy, including dismissals.

“The University will prosecute the current matter under investigation, in addition to all outstanding cases before the Committee. We would like to state emphatically that the University of Ghana does not and will not shield any employee or student found to have engaged in sexual harassment or misconduct.  No member of the University is considered above the law”.