Women’s and children’s rights advocate Perpetual L. Akwada has called on the government to revise the 2025 Code of Conduct to explicitly prohibit sexual harassment by public officials, arguing that stronger ethical safeguards are needed to reinforce Ghana’s commitment to protecting women and girls.
In a petition addressed to the President, Ms. Akwada urged the inclusion of clear provisions that would make sexual harassment grounds for disqualification from public office. She said such reforms would send an unmistakable message that misconduct, particularly abuse of power, has no place in national leadership.
According to Ms. Akwada, Ghana has made deliberate strides in promoting gender equity, including the passage of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121). However, she believes that without firm ethical standards embedded in governance frameworks, these gains risk being undermined.
The advocate noted that revising the Code of Conduct to explicitly forbid sexual harassment would strengthen institutional accountability and reassure victims that their concerns are taken seriously. She highlighted that underreporting of sexual violence remains widespread due to stigma, fear of retaliation, and limited trust in protection systems.
Citing findings from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, the petition notes that 14.1 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, with six percent reporting such incidents within the year preceding the survey. Additional statistics point to early exposure among younger women and significant regional disparities in reported cases.
Ms. Akwada stressed that Ghana must ensure its public service code reflects zero tolerance for sexual misconduct, framing ethical reform as both a legal and moral imperative. She emphasized the importance of this at a time when the country seeks to position itself as a safe environment for women and girls.
Within the broader petition, she also called for the revocation of Professor Ransford Edward Van Gyampo’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, arguing that leadership appointments must align with the values of accountability and protection for vulnerable groups.
Framing her appeal in national terms, Ms. Akwada urged the President to take decisive steps to reaffirm Ghana’s stance against abuse and exploitation. “Public office must remain a refuge for integrity and not a citadel for misconduct,” she stated.
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Read the full petition below:
