Prez. Mahama Petitioned to Review Prof. Gyampo Appointment amid Misconduct Claims
Perpetual Lomokie Akwada, a Ghanaian citizen, has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider the appointment of Professor Ransford Edward van Gyampo as Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, citing past sexual harassment allegations and the wider message the decision sends to women and girls.
She argues that the appointment could undermine public confidence in the government’s commitment to gender equity and accountability.
The petition contends that elevating an individual previously implicated in the BBC Africa Eye documentary Sex for Grades runs counter to Ghana’s ongoing efforts to tackle sexual misconduct. The 2019 investigation exposed allegations of sexual harassment within West African universities and ignited widespread public debate across the region.
Akwada noted that the appointment comes at a particularly sensitive time, following the passage of Ghana’s Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, which seeks to promote women’s participation and safety in public life. She warned that retaining Gyampo in a senior public office risks sending the message that allegations of sexual harassment carry no meaningful consequences.
The petition further urges the President to amend the government’s Code of Conduct to explicitly prohibit sexual harassment by public officials and to stipulate that individuals linked to such allegations are barred from senior appointments. It asserts that without decisive action, victims of abuse may be discouraged from reporting misconduct due to fear of stigma or institutional inaction.
Situating the issue within broader national concerns, the petition highlights persistent sexual abuse in Ghana, noting that cases are frequently unreported because of power imbalances, economic dependency, and weak institutional trust. It cautions that appointing individuals associated with past controversies could normalise impunity and undermine progress made in schools and workplaces to protect women.
The Presidency has yet to issue a public response to the petition. Prof. Gyampo has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to the BBC investigation and has continued to hold public positions. Akwada has called on President Mahama to act “decisively,” stressing that public office must remain “a refuge for integrity and not a citadel for misconduct,” particularly as the administration pledges to prioritise women’s safety and inclusion.
