Two lecturers of the University of Ghana have been suspended for six and four months without pay after the university completed its investigations into BBC’s Sex for Grades documentary.
The two lecturers, Prof. Ransford Gyampo and Dr. Paul Butakor were indicted in a video documentary recorded by the BBC that shows how lecturers take advantage of their female students in some universities in Africa.
Prof Gyampo received a six-month suspension without pay, whilst Dr Butakor was slapped with four months. Their suspensions take effect from January 1, 2020.
A statement from the University read:
“In addition, 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.
“They will be required to receive a positive assessment after the training before resumption of their duties. They are also required to undergo annual assessment for a period of 5 years.”
“The Fact-Finding Committee found evidence that they had contravened the relevant provisions on misconduct in the University of Ghana Statutes and the Code of Conduct for Academic Senior Members and recommended that the case be referred to the Disciplinary Committee for Senior Members.”
“Management has accepted the recommendations…and has informed Prof. Gyampo and Dr. Butakor accordingly,” the statement added.
Prof Gyampo has especially maintained his innocence in this matter and has vowed to sue the BBC.
When the story first broke, he said:
“I had criticised a political party and they felt putting sexual allegations on me was a way of shutting me up.”
He added, “I’ve always said that the worst a politician can do is kill me but even with that, I’m not scared to die.”
Dr. Boniface Igbeneghu, a lecturer at the University of Lagos in Nigeria, was who was also cited in the documentary has been suspended as well.
In a statement, released by his University, it said it was “highly embarrassed” by the allegations and pledged to do “all that is necessary” to investigate and combat the “menace” of harassment at the institution.
