Lawyer for the two University of Ghana (UG) lecturers who have been suspended over the BBC’s sex for grade documentary has welcomed the punishment, but with reservation.
According to Francis-Xavier Sosu, the communiqué from UG is misleading and too harsh.
In a statement Xavier Sosu said “It is for this reason that we find the decision to be a little too harsh and the university’s communiqué as misleading,”
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He, added that “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.”
UG suspended the two lecturers and required them 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.
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A statement by the UG stated that “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, the Disciplinary Committee recommended a six-month suspension without pay for Professor Gyampo and a four-month suspension without pay for Dr. Butakor. The suspensions take effect from January 1, 2020.”
Below is the full release.
RE: DISCIPLINARY ACTION IN RESPECT OF PROF RANSFORD GYAMPO AND DR PAUL BUTAKOR.
We write for and on behalf of Prof Gyampo and Dr. Butakor to accept the decision of the University to suspend them for six and four months respectively.
Given the background of this case and the fact that our Clients have consistently denied the origin of the action and have raised fundamental issues of natural justice among many others, we are of the firm view that the decision is quite harsh.
The statement by the University creates a lot of doubts in the minds of people and to make it succinctly clear, Prof. Gyampo and Dr. Butakor were not found guilty of Sexual Misconduct or Sex for grades as was initially alleged by the BBC.
It is disappointing that the BBC showed gross disrespect to our Clients and the University by refusing to make themselves available to be cross-examined in the whole process thereby undermining the integrity of the entire administrative proceedings. It is also unfortunate, that the University’s release did not make it clear that the allegations of BBC were false and had no basis.
Additionally given the fact that our Clients were not found guilty of any sexual misconduct contrary to the anti-sexual harassment and misconduct policy of the University, we find it strange that they are required to be subjected not only to training but also to an annual assessment for 5 years in this regard. It is for this reason that we find the decision to be a little too harsh and the university’s communiqué as misleading.
However, our Clients accept the said decision and would respect it. 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.
Our Clients remain assets to the University and desire to put this matter behind them in the collective interest of the entire University Community. Indeed, they have learnt useful lessons that will guide their future conducts in the university.
We hold the instructions of our Clients that they desire to bring finality to this matter in order for the University and our clients re-focus fully on their core mandate in academia. Yours faithfully.
FRANCIS-XAVIER SOSU (ESQ)
Human Rights and Public Interest Lawyer
0303968367 | 0243185333
Cc:
The Chair, Disciplinary Committee for Senior members
The Chairman of University of Ghana Council
The Vice Chancellor
Pro Vice-Chancellors
Provost, College of Humanities
Head, Department of Political Science
Director, HRODD
A.g Director, Finance
Legal Counsel
Assistant Registrar, Payroll Admin. C & R Unit
Clients’ File
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