A Ghanaian has petitioned President John Mahama to sack Professor Ransford Gyampo as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority over a sexual harassment scandal.
Perpetual Lomokie Akwada, in his petition, stressed that the appointment of Prof Gyampo raised significant commentary about propriety due to his involvement in a sexual harassment scandal that shocked the conscience of Ghana.
Parts of the Ghanaian citizen petition stated, “Recent events have left me, and many women, with profound concern about the security of women in this country, and the appointment of Professor Ransford Edward Gyampo as Chiel Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority suggests an evident decline in national efforts to protect the girl-child and women generally in Ghana, I am certain that Your Excellency, like every Ghanaian, knows of Prof. Gyampo’s involvement in the BBC “Sex for Grades” documentary, in which he was implicated in the sexual harassment of female students at the University of Ghana This may be unknown to the President: today, Prof. Gyampo’s reputation as an abuser of women prevails beyond any academic or intellectual talents he may possess”.
“Hence, his appointment to a position of national leadership undermines both the moral integrity of Public office and the safety of women and girls in Ghana, especially for a government that campaigned on elevating the place of women in the Ghanaian society.
With the prevalence of sexually-related violence against women in schools and the workplace, Prof. Gyampo’s appointment sends an unwelcome but clear signal to women that we are condoning a society that pays little concern to victims of sexual abuse but rewards powerful, abusive men with more power and influence”.
She added, “In February 2025, Your Excellency appointed Prof. Gyampo as the C.E.O. of the Ghana Shippers Authority. This appointment raised significant commentary about propriety stemming from Prof. Gyampo’s involvement in a sexual harassment scandal that shocked the conscience of this nation.
However, appointing a person publicly associated with sexual harassment allegations to a position of influence sends a harmful signal to the vulnerable that in Ghana, power shields misconduct. Notably, it discourages reporting, emboldens abusers, and undermines years of progress toward gender equality and safe schools and workplaces.
Ghana has worked hard to assure women that their dignity matters and that abuse will not be tolerated. This appointment reverses those gains and risks normalising impunity. It also implicates the government as an enabler of such sexual violence abuses”.
Her petition demanded that President Mahama, “Revoke the appointment of Professor Ransford Edward van Gyampo as CEO of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority,
a. Affirm that individuals associated with sexual harassment or abuse are not eligible for high public office. b. eaffirm Ghana’s commitment to protecting women and girls from abuse and exploitation.
c. Revise the Code of Conduct, 2025, to include an explicit prohibition against sexual harassment by public officials”.
In a post shared on social media, the petitioner, identified as Perpetual Lomokie Akwada, wrote, “Yesterday, I formally petitioned the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, to review the appointment of Ransford Edward van Gyampo as CEO of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority.
I also call on H.E. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and all women’s organisations across the country to support actions that uphold public trust and protect the dignity of women.
Integrity in public office is essential. Our standards must reflect it”.
Meanwhile, Staunch feminist and NDC member Amelia Amedela Amemate, popularly known as Dela Goldheart, has said she was disappointed in her own party the NDC for appointing Professor Ransford Gyampo as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority despite sexual harassment levelled against him.
According to NDC’s Amelia, Professor Ransford Gyampo nearly ruined her education because he couldn’t keep his zipper closed.
Dela Goldheart highlighted that she was disappointed because Prof Gyampo’s appointment sent a wrong message to young women all over Ghana.
It will be recalled that some years ago, Amelia Amedela Amemate added her voice to that of several other women calling for the head of Professor Ransford Gyampo following the BBC Africa Eye exposé ‘Sex for grades’.
Dela Goldheart narrated her ordeal of how Prof Gyampo allegedly harassed her while she was a student at the University of Ghana.
According to her, she was shocked at Prof Gyampo’s consistent demand for sex, knowing how reserved and powerful he was, adding that many of her colleagues saw him to be “young, smart and powerful”.
See the post below:
Violent kisser, Prof. Gyampo aso b3y3 she roff. I’m glad a bold woman took this up. 👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/bglJ23hzgV
— CHARLOTTE NICOLE 🕊 (@charllycolegh) February 19, 2026