Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has strongly denounced sexual exploitation in workplaces and educational institutions, describing practices such as “sex for jobs” and “sex for grades” as serious abuses of authority that violate human dignity, weaken institutional integrity and hinder national development. Speaking at a conference on sexual exploitation in Accra on November 5, the Vice President called for stronger accountability systems and the effective enforcement of existing laws to safeguard victims and survivors of sexual harassment.
Delivering an address on the theme of promoting accountability and protecting people who have experienced abuse, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that Ghana had sufficient legal and policy frameworks to tackle sexual exploitation but emphasised that their impact depended largely on effective implementation. She identified the 1992 Constitution, the Labour Act, 2003, and the International Labour Organization’s Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment as key legal instruments designed to protect individuals against abuse.
According to her, sexual exploitation in workplaces and academic institutions should not be treated as mere individual misconduct, but rather as an abuse of power, an infringement on bodily autonomy and a betrayal of institutional trust. “Sexual exploitation is a drain on national development,” she stated, warning that the practice contributes to reduced productivity, the loss of valuable human potential and declining public confidence in institutions.
The Vice President said government was aware of the seriousness of the problem and was implementing measures to strengthen institutional responses to gender-based violence and sexual harassment. Among the initiatives she highlighted were the launch of the Affirmative Action Regulations, 2026, to support the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act, 2024, and the revised National Gender Policy by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
She also pointed to ongoing collaboration between the Ministry and the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre to train stakeholders in the judicial, health and social sectors to enhance the prevention of and response to gender-based violence and sexual harassment. In the education sector, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang disclosed that the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service had put in place procedures for reporting, investigating and addressing sexual harassment in schools.
She added that national guidelines had also been developed to guide tertiary institutions in establishing and enforcing policies against sexual harassment. However, she cautioned that legislation and government policies alone would not eradicate sexual exploitation, stressing that institutions must demonstrate a genuine commitment to transparency and accountability.
She called for the establishment of independent and confidential reporting systems, particularly in situations where individuals accused of misconduct exercise authority over victims’ employment, promotions or academic advancement. The Vice President insisted that victims must be able to report incidents without intimidation, retaliation or the fear of losing their jobs and educational opportunities.
She further urged institutions to ensure that complaints were investigated promptly, fairly and comprehensively, with appropriate disciplinary measures taken against individuals found responsible. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stressed that efforts to prevent sexual harassment should not rely exclusively on victims coming forward with complaints but must include adequately resourced protection systems, responsible institutional leadership and accessible support services for survivors.
“Every workplace, public institution and educational establishment must be a place where people can pursue their ambitions without fear of sexual harassment or exploitation,” she said. She called on government, public and private institutions, as well as citizens, to take collective responsibility for confronting sexual exploitation rather than accepting it as an unavoidable part of society.
The Vice President also highlighted the devastating personal consequences of sexual harassment and exploitation, noting that behind every reported case was an individual whose ambitions, confidence and sense of security could be seriously affected. She urged institutions to protect the dignity and privacy of complainants while ensuring that individuals who abuse positions of authority are held accountable.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang concluded with a strong appeal for a society where access to employment and educational opportunities is never conditional on sexual favours. “No job or academic qualification should come at the price or the cost of anyone’s dignity, and no person entrusted with authority has the right to demand that dignity,” she emphasised.
