President John Dramani Mahama has called for urgent legislation to criminalize the coercive demand for sexual or romantic relationships in exchange for employment, describing the practice as predatory and a gross abuse of power that must not be tolerated in Ghana.
Speaking during a town hall meeting at Adweso in Koforidua on Saturday, May 2, to wrap up his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Eastern Region, the President condemned what he described as a disturbing pattern of exploitation, particularly targeting women seeking jobs.
“One of the worst things and I think we should pass a bill to make it punishable—is that sometimes if the employer or the person responsible for employing is a male, they demand some romantic relationship before they give them jobs.It is unacceptable. It must stop,” President Mahama declared to a gathering of community members and stakeholders.
He stressed that such conduct represents a clear abuse of authority and a violation of basic human dignity, insisting that perpetrators must face strict legal consequences.
According to him, the absence of explicit legal provisions addressing “sex-for-jobs” situations often leaves victims vulnerable and perpetrators unpunished.
The President’s call aligns with growing global concern over workplace sexual exploitation, an issue that has gained heightened attention in recent years through movements such as #MeToo movement.
Across multiple jurisdictions, reports have exposed how individuals in positions of authority—ranging from corporate executives to recruiters and public officials—have leveraged job opportunities, promotions, or contract awards to solicit sexual favors.
In parts of Africa, including Ghana and Nigeria, investigative reports and documentaries have uncovered cases within universities and professional environments where students and job seekers were pressured into exploitative relationships.
Similar patterns have been documented in Europe, Asia, and North America, often linked to broader issues of gender inequality, unemployment pressures, and weak enforcement mechanisms.
International bodies such as the International Labour Organization have consistently warned that workplace sexual harassment—including coercive “quid pro quo” arrangements—undermines productivity, violates workers’ rights, and perpetuates systemic discrimination.
Many countries have since moved to strengthen legal frameworks, with some explicitly criminalizing the solicitation of sexual favors in exchange for employment benefits.
President Mahama emphasized that Ghana must not lag behind in confronting the issue, noting that legal reform is essential to protecting vulnerable job seekers and restoring integrity in recruitment processes.
Beyond the proposed legislation, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to gender equity, pointing to the full implementation of the Affirmative Action framework as a key priority.
He revealed that government is working toward achieving 50-50 gender parity in public appointments by 2028.
“We recognize the scale of the challenge, but we remain committed to ensuring fairness, dignity, and equal opportunity for all,” he said.
The President remarks have already sparked public debate, with gender advocates and civil society groups expected to push for swift parliamentary action to translate the President’s proposal into enforceable law.
Source: Felix NYAABA/ expressnewsghana.com