Publishing names of sexual harassment offenders has legal implications – UG Vice-Chancellor

Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, has disclosed that the University is not in a position to put out names of lecturers who are alleged to be involved in sexual harassment and its related offences yet.

He explains that such a move could have legal implications.

Speaking at an open forum which was aimed at discussing “in its entirety the issue of sexual harassment, misconduct and other matters arising in the University community in recent times,” Prof. Oduro Owusu said that such a move will be problematic as there exist legal considerations that ought not be ignored if names of accused people are to be published.

He says that the University will have to seek for legal interpretation before it can take such actions insisting that “As to whether we will publish the names or not, at least ever since I got into the office or not, two lectures have been dismissed. We’ve not published the names because there’s a difference in the policy as in sexual harassment and misconduct. Sexual misconduct policy does not allow us to publish the names and we have not had a clear case of sexual harassment. So for sexual misconduct, you can prescribe whatever form of punishment. We need to seek legal interpretation and revise the policy. If we are advised rightly and we revise the policy, then, of course, we have to publish the names”.

Prof. Oduro Owusu, however, reaffirmed the University’s zero-tolerance for sexual harassment and misconduct, saying the University will take action against anyone who is found guilty of committing such acts.

The Vice-Chancellor also urged students and members of the university community to be bold in reporting cases of sexual harassment and misconduct.

“What I have said is that if you’ve been implicated in sexual misconduct, what it means is that you are a danger to our student, you cannot keep interacting with our students, so please leave and they leave” he added.

“If you have been in such a situation, come and report. I am assuring you that we will make sure they are investigated and if the perpetrators are found guilty, we will deal with them appropriately”

Friday’s open forum comes in earnest to address the growing concerns of sexual harassment and misconduct among members of the University community.