Less than seventy-two hours (72hrs) after the BBC Africa Eye aired the Sex For Grades documentary, where some two lecturers of the premier university were implicated, the University of Ghana has asked Prof. Ransford Gyampo and Dr. Paul Kwame Butakor, to step aside, to allow investigations into the allegations against them.
“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.”, a statement from the university indicated yesterday.
The two are also expected to be hauled before the University’s Anti Sexual Harassment Committee to assist with internal investigations.
In the release, management of the University also indicated that it will not undermine the importance of its anti-sexual harassment guideline to tackle this menace which is ‘fundamentally exploiting power imbalance and the voicelessness on individuals, families and institutions.’
As a result, it has expressed commitment to investigate this matter and all other cases of sexual abuse brought before it and ensure that persons who are culpable face the punitive measure they due them.
“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 above the law”, it added.
Prof. Ransford Gyampo and Dr. Paul Kwame Butakor, as well as two lecturers from the University of Lagos (Unilag) were implicated in the BBC documentary over their alleged sexual harassment of female students.
Although Prof. Gyampo has denied the allegations leveled against him, pressure has mounted on the University to take decisive actions to show its commitment of dealing with the issue of sexual misconduct.
Whilst some groups want the two penalized, others have argued that the content of the documentary is not plausible enough to incriminate the lecturers.
Read the full unedited statement from the University of Ghana below:
RE: BBC DOCUMENTARY ‘SEX FOR GRADES’ UNDERCOVER IN WEST AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES
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.
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.
The University would like to assure all members of the university community, including students, employees, our stakeholders and the public that it will continue to actively fight against sexual harassment/misconduct, and other acts of indiscipline.
Further, to assure members of the university community and the public that the University of Ghana will use the existing structures to handle all matters of sexual harassment and misconduct, while protecting the rights of the victims.
Meanwhile, members of the University community are reminded of the provisions of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy, and also encouraged to report any acts of sexual harassment and misconduct accordingly.
To facilitate this process, additional communication channels have been created;
Telephone: 050-736-8053 Email: hearmystory@ug.edu.gh
Stella A. Amoa
Director of Public Affairs
October 8, 2019
Submitted by: Public Affairs
(saa/08/10/19)
