UG ready to implement recommendations of anti-sexual harassment committee – Vice Chancellor

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, has assured that management of the University of Ghana will study the report it has received from the anti-sexual harassment committee of the University concerning allegations that some faculty members were soliciting sex in exchange for academic favours.

Following a documentary by BBC Africa Eye, University authorities established a 5-member committee to look into alleged acts of sexual harassment among members of the university.

The documentary, titled ‘Sex for Grades’, suggested that some lecturers of the University were engaging in sexual improprieties by soliciting sex from students in exchange for academic favors.

Two lecturers of the University, Prof. Ransford Yaw Gyampo, and Dr. Paul Kwame Butakor were implicated in the BBC documentary and were hauled before the 5-member Committee.

Notifying the public that the committee has submitted its report, Prof. Oduro Owusu stated that the University was committed to implementing the recommendations by the committee, ABC News can report.

Speaking at one of this year’s November congregations, Prof. Oduro-Owusu reemphasized that the University has zero-tolerance for sexual harassment.

He highlighted some steps taken by the university to ensure that victims of sexual harassment report offenders.

“The university has created an anonymous e-mail address and a WhatsApp platform to facilitate and create easy avenues through which all such sexual harassment cases may be reported” – Prof. Oduro stated.

The University has also tasked the Center for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) to develop a training program to educate members of the University on sexual harassment.

“In response to the ongoing discussions on how to tackle sexual harassment issues, going forward, the Center for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) has been tasked to lead in developing a training program to educate members of the UG community on what constitutes harassment,” he said.

Source: ABCNewsgh.com