Story by: Yunus Swalahudeen Wakpenjo
NDC parliamentary candidate for tamale central and the Former deputy minister of trade and
industry, Murtala Ibrahim, has taken a swipe at the BBC Africa, an international media
organization, that lunched and subsequently released a damning documentary which indicted
some two Ghanaian lectures at the University of Ghana (UG) who allegedly engage in sex for
grade documentary.
According to him, refusal by BBC to show up during the investigation by the panel committee
set to look into the rather scandalous tape is a show of arrogance and disrespect to the
university and the country at large. He made this assertion in the wake to the suspension of the
two lecturers, Professor Gyampo and Dr. Butakor for six and four months respectively without
pay.
Murtala emphasized that, if officials of BBC had honored the invitation, it would have accord
parties the chance to establish the veracity of section of the tape which seeks to indict these
two Ghanaian lecturers. However, not showing up, rather lives a lot of uncertainty on the mind
of Ghanaians as to the legitimacy of their work.
He stressed that, it is a natural justice for a person who was accused of some offenses to be
given the right to ask questions and probe his allegations. However, the unavailability of BBC
officials has denied these lecturers the opportunity.
“If they had shown up when they were invited, they would have defended their allegations
against these lecturers or part of their work would have exonerated them if probed” he
stressed.
Murtala however, challenged the officials of the University of Ghana to come clear with their
findings, because the preliminary findings show no wrongdoing with regards to sex for grade
allegation on their part. “if the committee set to look into the matter were tasked to look
beyond the sex for grade allegation, we should be told. So that we know on what basis were
these two lecturers suspended”. He stated.
Meanwhile, the honorable member insisted, when anybody engages in such a despicable acts
of compromising his position, he must be dealt with, however, he stressed on fairness in
dealing with such, in order not to victimized people on the grounds of unsubstantiated
allegations.
“I am a product of that university and so if the integrity of the university is questioned I am also
affected. That is why we are asking the BBC to come and answer questions on the motive
Behind planting a girl who is not a student of the university to make such an allegation”. “What
is the motive” he quizzed.
Nonetheless, A statement by the university's management revealed that “In line with statute 46
(2) of the University of Ghana Statutes, as amended, and regulation 15.0 of the Code of
Conduct for Academic Staff of the University of Ghana, the Disciplinary Committee
recommended a six-month suspension without pay for Professor Gyampo and a four-month
suspension without pay for Dr. Butakor. The suspensions take effect from January 1, 2020.”
The statement further noted that the two lectures will have to be trained on the University’s
sexual misconduct policy before they resume their posts based on a “positive assessment”.
They will also be subjected to an annual assessment for a five year period.
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 the resumption of their duties. They are also required to
undergo annual assessments for a period of five years.” the statement stated.
Management further assured all students, faculty, staff, other stakeholders and the public of its
commitment to ending any form of harassment in the school.