Lawyer for the two suspended University of Ghana lecturers says they accept the sanctions albeit with reservation.
According to Francis-Xavier Sosu, they find the action quite harsh, considering the fact that the two have raised fundamental issues with natural justice.
“It is for this reason that we find the decision to be a little too harsh and the university’s communiqué as misleading,” he said in a statement.
He, however, stressed: “Our Clients have made it clear to us that as senior members of the University, they do not want to further litigate this matter in court or have a protracted dispute over the issue.”
Management of the University of Ghana has suspended Prof. Ransford Gyampo for six months without pay and four-months without pay for Dr. Paul Butakor.
The suspensions take effect from January 1, 2020. Management has informed Prof. Gyampo and Dr. Butakor accordingly.
It follows a recommendation by the Senior Members’ Disciplinary Committee of the University of Ghana.
This decision follows the completion of the hearing of the matter and it’s 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.
A statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs of the University, Stella Amoah noted that:“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 resumption of their duties. They are also required to undergo annual assessment for a period of 5 years.”
A Fact-Finding Committee chaired by Justice Vida Akoto-Bamfo, a retired Supreme Court Judge, had investigated allegations of misconduct against Prof Gyampo and Dr. Butakor following the broadcast of the BBC documentary titled: “Sex for Grades: Undercover in West African Universities.” The Fact-Finding Committee found evidence that they had contravened the relevant provisions on misconduct in the University of Ghana Statutes and the Code of Conduct for Academic Senior Members and recommended that the case be referred to the Disciplinary Committee for Senior Members.
The University of Ghana would like to assure all students, faculty, staff, other stakeholders and the public of its commitment to rooting out any acts of misconduct, sexual harassment or any other form of harassment and that it will not tolerate any such acts among students and employees of the University.
Source: Kasapafmonline.com/102.5FM
