Petitioner urges revocation of Prof Gyampo’s appointment over “Sex for Grades” past
A formal petition demanding the revocation of Ransford Edward Van Gyampo’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority has been submitted to the Presidency by a lone petitioner, Perpetual Lomokie Akwada.
Akwada, who describes herself as a concerned Ghanaian citizen and advocate for the protection of women and girls, is so far the only individual to have formally challenged the appointment. Her petition, received at the Presidency on February 17, calls on the President to reconsider the decision, arguing that leadership must reflect both integrity and moral credibility. Observers say her move has placed her at the forefront of a sensitive national conversation, with some commending her for boldly raising an issue others have remained silent on.
Prof. Gyampo’s name first gained international attention following the 2019 Sex for Grades investigation by BBC Africa Eye. The undercover documentary exposed alleged sexual misconduct by lecturers at the University of Ghana, showing interactions widely criticised as inappropriate and suggestive toward a reporter posing as a student.
The exposé ignited outrage across the country and renewed scrutiny of sexual harassment within Ghana’s tertiary institutions. Although Prof. Gyampo denied wrongdoing and was later reinstated following internal university processes, the episode left lasting reputational damage and raised serious ethical questions about abuse of power in academic spaces.
His subsequent appointment as CEO of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority has revived debate about accountability in public office. Critics argue that even in the absence of a criminal conviction, the gravity of the allegations warrants caution when assigning high-level public responsibilities. Others contend that due process was followed and that he cannot be indefinitely sanctioned without a court ruling.
For now, Perpetual Lomokie Akwada stands alone in formally petitioning the Presidency over the matter. Whether her action sparks wider public engagement remains to be seen. Still, her intervention has undeniably reignited discussion about standards of leadership, protection of women, and the moral expectations placed on public officials in Ghana.
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