“It is a sad day for Ghana. Watching the video, it clearly showed that some of the officials were desperate to use their office to influence the game by taking inducements, but frankly speaking others were also entrapped,”.

These were the words of Professor Ransford Gyampo after watching Anas Aremeyaw’s investigative piece that captured some officials of the GFA including then president Kwesi Nyantakyi allegedly forging documents to fleece the association.

When the outspoken professor was making this comment in 2018, it did not occur to him that someday he will find himself in a situation akin to that of the former GFA president.

Its 2019 and Professor Gyampo is now entangled in a scandal that has seen his name taking dominance on both traditional and new media platforms and unlike Nyantakyi who opted not to react, Professor Gyampo is on various media houses platforms defending his innocence. A BBC documentary dubbed ‘Sex for Grades’ has caught the professor allegedly trying to lure a student into sleeping with him.

Excerpt of the yet-to-be aired video has Professor Gyampo making ‘numerous inappropriate demands’ to an undercover journalist who posed as a student of the University of Ghana. Gyampo’s alleged involvement in the ‘Sex for Grades’ has resurrected his comments on Nyantakyi with some Ghanaians reminding him of the age-old saying that “Don’t be so quick to judge. You never know when you might just find yourself walking in that person’s shoes”

//GHANAWEB//SC./

A Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo is accusing his detractors of framing him with alleged sex for grade documentary being championed by BBC.

The move, he said is a grand scheme by some people to gag him but “I wish to assure them that I remain Yaw Gyampo. I won’t be silenced”.

In a statement on his Facebook wall, Prof Gyampo described the explosive BBC document as a “bogus unprofessional piece”

He has given indication he will sue the BBC on Tuesday, October 7, 2019, for citing him in a sex-for-grade allegation.

“Their worst may be to kill me. But in as much as I love my family, I wont be scared to die in the course of keeping regimes on their toes, without malice, just for the purposes of shaping our governance landscape” he added.

Below is the full statement by Prof Gyampo

I have been counseled to be silent on a matter of entrapment masterminded by a certain unscrupulous people, with the aid of BBC (African Eye) against me.
Unfortunately, my students this afternoon also insisted that I say something to clear the air. I am grateful to them for the support they showed me this afternoon. I am grateful to all my friends for the numerous phone calls and messages to show solidarity. For my haters who were expecting to see a worst video, and actually texted to rejoice over what they think is going to be my downfall, I forgive them

I have a lot to say about this matter. But I am suing the BBC for defamation tomorrow, so I will keep some of the facts to myself for now.
Let me state however, that I have not involved myself in the BBC’s so-called sex for grades and will never do so. Their own video documentary evidence could not establish this. I am aware of my University’s Sexual Harassment Policy and I have always adhered to its dogmas.

The lady involved in my informal conversation, was not my student and she wasnt also a student from the University of Ghana where I teach. I therefore cannot decipher how I could manipulate the grade of a non-student. The BBC ignored all her contributions to our conversation. They ignored all her messages she sent to me. They ignored my objections and letters written to refute their allegations. They also edited the video to suit their purpose.
While I prepare to sue the BBC for carrying out the most bogus and unprofessional piece of documentary in the world so far, I wish to remind them that Ghana and for that matter, Africa, has long thrown out the yoke of colonialism.

//SC//GHANAWEB//

A Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana (UG), Professor Ransford Gyampo has threatened to initiate a legal action against the BBC over its “Sex for grades” documentary which mentions him [Gyampo] as one of the lecturers who offer grades to students in exchange for sex.

In a radio interview with Accra based Citi FM on Monday, Professor Gyampo denied abusing his power to make sexual advances towards students. Professor Gyampo was allegedly implicated in the “sex for grades” investigations carried out by BBC Africa Eye  “I didn’t see anything like that [in the video] and I have not done anything like that,” he said in the radio interview with a Citi FM.

Professor Gyampo, who is also the Head of European Studies at the university, according to the BBC report allegedly requested to marry one of the BBC reporters who posed as a student seeking academic favours.  In excerpts of the video released on BBC Somalia’s Facebook page, Professor Gyampo persuaded the reporter to meet him at the mall where he was caught on camera making “numerous [alleged] inappropriate demands.”  In the report, he also allegedly requested to kiss the reporter.

//SC//GHANAWEB//

His first lecture of the day after allegations of his involvement in the ‘Sex-for-grade’ practice and the response was epic. Hoots from all directions whiles others encouraged that his face be captured.

Political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Edward Gyampo, in a video captured by one of his students, was wiping tears off his face whilst the class ‘booed’ at him unconcerned. With teasing comments like ‘capture him’, ‘you did it’ in the background, Mr. Gyampo stood in front of a full class whose members did not fail to register their thoughts on the issue.

The reactions come on the back of allegations of his involvement in a sex-for-scandal expose. In excerpts of the video released on BBC Somalia’s Facebook page, Professor Gyampo persuaded the reporter to meet him at the mall where he was caught on camera making “numerous [alleged] inappropriate demands.”

In the report, he also allegedly requested to kiss the reporter. Barely hours after the release of the video, he’s already denied; “I didn’t see anything like that [in the video] and I have not done anything like that,” he said in a Citi News interview Monday.
Background: The documentary was commissioned in response to allegations of sexual harassment by lecturers that have hovered over tertiary institutions.

After initial interviews, BBC Africa Eye sent undercover journalists posing as students inside the University of Lagos and the University of Ghana.

The lead reporter in the exposé, Kiki Mordi, said she was also a victim of sexual harassment when she was in school. The BBC said its female reporters were “sexually harassed, propositioned and put under pressure by senior lecturers at the institutions” while they were wearing secret cameras.

The bulk of the excerpt released spent time in the University of Lagos and one of its lecturers alleged attempts to proposition a student seeking admission into the school.

//SC//GHANAWEB//

“Tracy Sarkcess @TracySarkcess Just woke up to the news!!!#WhoDaMan #WhoDaMan #WhoDaMan YouDaMan my GEE! @sarkodie you make me too proud!!!! From Tema C.9 to #BETHipHopAwards19 you do all!!! When God’s favour upon u, every dream POSSIBLE. Lord, thank you for making him shine”  Tracy

Minister of Creative Arts and Tourism, Barbara Oteng, has reached out to veteran actor, Kofi Laing, popularly known as ‘Kohwe’, following the latter’s appeal for support.

The actor in an interview on Adom FM said the conditions of veterans who worked hard to bring smiles to the faces of Ghanaians, are nothing to write home about.

He stated that this is mostly because in their days, the Ghana film industry was not rewarding in terms of money, so they could not amass any wealth. Therefore he said, Ghanaians should support him now and not wait till he is dead and gone before they do so.

The Minister, Barbara Oteng paid him a visit on Friday, October 4, to donate some things to him. Other people he revealed have contacted him from Ghanaians at home and in the diaspora.

Many people from the entertainment circles he added, have expressed interest in extending a helping hand to him. Kohwe featured in the popular Akan Drama as well as the “Kaneshie Odorkor” TV series.

//SC//GHANAWEB//.

A BBC Africa Eye undercover investigation at the University of Ghana has exposed a lecturer from the College of Education, Dr Paul Kwame Butakor, pleading to a ‘female’ student to become her side guy.

He said repeatedly, “Let me be your side boy, side guy…men have side chicks…I will not give you trouble…seriously I will not give you trouble…I will not give you trouble…I will not be a distraction to your life…let me be your side guy…”

According to the lecturer, he is married and his wife is not in the country but he would like to be by the side of the student and vice versa.

“Maybe you’ll be my side and I’ll also be your side. Because me, I’m married…my wife is not in the country though…my wife is out of the country,” he said while interacting with the BBC undercover journalist who posed as a student in his office.

After meticulous interactions with some female students at the nation’s premier university, the BBC Africa Eye undercover journalists were led to Dr Paul Kwame Butakor.

The journalist who posed as a final year student of the School of Education and Leadership, University of Ghana approached Dr Butakor and expressed an interest in reading for a Masters Degree after her Bachelor’s Degree.

After meeting with the lecturer for the second time in his office, Dr Butakor told the student how beautiful she was looking and inquired whether any guy on campus has said so.  “You look muwaah…how many guys have told you ‘You are beautiful’ today?” he quizzed.

The University of Ghana regulations prohibits lecturers from having sexual relationships with students because they are in positions to influence their education and such flirtatious behaviour is considered misconduct. The BBC Africa Eye reports that Dr Butakor after his meeting with the final year student offered a National Service work placement in his department even though the deadline for National Service application had passed.

He told the student further that there would be no interruptions and being in his office will help her focus on her career.  “No distractions, your focus should be on your career…then the side will see how best he can also contribute to your career and make you to become a better person,” Dr Butakor said.

When the BBC contacted Dr Paul Kwame Butakor, he denied any amorous behaviour with the BBC undercover reporter or any of his students.  He said he follows all university sexual harassment and misconduct rules and added that he had no intention of dating either any student or the reporter.

He indicated that he had no intention of circumventing the university process to secure placement for her in return for sex. The Management of the University of Ghana expressed worry over the allegations levelled against Dr Paul Kwame Butakor when the BBC contacted them.

It said the university “has a pro-active policy on sexual harassment and is committed to rooting out the problem.”

About ‘Sex for grades’

‘Sex for grades’ is a BBC Africa Eye undercover investigation into some academic institutions in West Africa which increasingly have been faced with allegations of sexual harassment by lecturers. This type of abuse is said to be endemic, but it’s almost never proven.

After gathering dozens of testimonies, BBC Africa Eye sent undercover journalists posing as students inside the University of Lagos and the University of Ghana.

Female reporters were sexually harassed, propositioned and put under pressure by senior lecturers at the institutions – all the while wearing secret cameras.

Undercover reporter Kiki Mordi, who knows first-hand how devastating sexual harassment can be, reveals what happens behind closed doors at some of the region’s most prestigious universities.

//SC//GHANAWEB//

President Nana Akufo Addo is set to respond to controversy surrounding supposed plans to introduce Comprehensive Sexuality Education in public schools which has been condemned as “satanic”

The Information minister took to Twitter to announce the event but did not state the day. “President @NAkufoAddo will this wknd address faith based organizations on the fears that pro LGBTQ teachings will soon find expression in Ghana’s schools. He will bring clarity on the govts position on the matter.”

The Comprehensive Sexuality Education is believed by many a subtle conditioning of pupils to explore lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lifestyles. Parents and religious bodies have expressed outrage after it emerged the Ghana Education Service has guidelines on CSE to be introduced in schools.

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has said it has not approved the document and has denied plans to introduce any education that is frowned upon by Ghanaian laws and cultural norms. Religious leaders have also threatened demonstrations with the President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso, describing CSE as “Comprehensive Satanic Engagement,” which also has the CSE acronym.

//SC//joyonline//

Ghana is capable of producing activated carbons or activated charcoal (ACs) using home-made materials to boost the gold and oil industries and the economy at large, Professor William Kwame Buah, Dean of School of Postgraduate Studies of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), has said.

This, he said, was because the country had acquired a new rector that has the capacity to produce ACs for large production and estimated that about 4.5 percent of 1.6 million tonnes of fresh palm fruits bunches, constituting the kernel shell were produced annually in Ghana.

“Indeed, commercialisation of activated carbons production is highly recommended, because it would provide the AC needs of the country, provide employment, reduce foreign exchange on importation of the product, provide a boost for the gold and oil industry and improve management of biomass waste,” he stressed.

Prof Buah said these at an inaugural lecture on the topic, “The production of activating carbons from biomass waste in Ghana – A boost for gold and oil industries” at the university last Friday.

Activated carbons are porous carbon materials that show strong sorption properties both from gaseous and liquid phases and could be produced from important materials including coal, coconut shells, palm kernel shells, coconut husks and corn cobs.

According to him, Ghana had the potential to reduce imports on activated carbons and produce them for local gold production, the water and the beverage industry and reduce odour, stressing “we can create wealth with this valuable resource”.

In Ghana, Prof Buah said, key materials that could aid in producing the activated carbons were regarded as waste and virtually did not undergo any value addition (wealth creation) or treatment, and believed that biomass wastes were critical avenues for wealth creation in the country.

He said research had proven that, Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), converted into char, resulted in the production of activated carbons for gold absorption from gold chloride solution, stressing that the re-engineering of the hardened RDF-AC could make “it a valuable resource to the gold industry”.

//SC//GHANAWEB//