Mahama Proposes Law to Criminalize Sex-for-Jobs in Ghana

President John Dramani Mahama

A student's question at a town hall ignites a national conversation about workplace exploitation and gender equality

A bold proposal from President John Dramani Mahama has sparked widespread debate across Ghana, after he called for new legislation to criminalize the demand for sexual or romantic favors as a condition for employment a practice that has quietly blighted the job market for women for generations.

What the President Said
President John Dramani Mahama made the call on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during a town hall meeting at Adweso in Koforidua, marking the end of his two-day "Resetting Ghana" tour of the Eastern Region. The President was responding to a concern raised by a female student of Ghana Senior High School, who highlighted the challenges women face in securing employment despite having equal qualifications as their male counterparts.

In his response, Mahama said: "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. And I think that we must take a firm line on that. I mean, if anybody does that, there should be a law that deals with them very strongly."

The Problem That Prompted the Call
According to President Mahama, the growing phenomenon of individuals exploiting job seekers particularly women by demanding sexual relationships as a condition for employment is unacceptable and must be addressed through strict legal measures. He stressed that existing legal frameworks may not be sufficient to deal with such cases, hence the need for a clearly defined law that criminalizes the act and prescribes appropriate sanctions for offenders.

The issue resonated deeply with the crowd at Adweso. The student who raised it noted that women are frequently overlooked in the job market despite equal or superior qualifications a reality many Ghanaian women know firsthand.

Public Reaction: Broad Support, But Wider Scope Demanded
The proposal has drawn swift and largely positive responses from civil society. The Justice and Accountability Forum commended President Mahama following the announcement, describing the proposed legal intervention as a necessary measure to address a long-standing issue where predatory individuals exploit vulnerable job seekers. The Forum's convener, Nana Bonsu, described the proposal as a positive step towards holding such offenders accountable.

However, the Forum stopped short of declaring the proposal sufficient. Bonsu argued that the legislation should not be limited to employment settings alone, and called for the scope to be expanded to include "sex-for-grades" the parallel practice of academic gatekeepers demanding sexual favors from students in exchange for marks or academic advancement.

A Gap in Ghana's Labour Laws
The proposal shines a light on a significant gap in Ghana's legal framework. While sexual harassment provisions exist under various laws, a specific, enforceable prohibition against conditioning employment on sexual compliance has never been enacted. President Mahama also stressed the need for equal opportunities for women and greater gender balance in employment and leadership roles signaling that the proposed bill is part of a broader gender equality agenda under his administration.

What Comes Next
The proposal is as yet just that a proposal. It must be drafted into a bill and brought before Parliament before becoming law. No timeline has been announced, and no draft legislation has been published. But the speed and strength of public endorsement suggests there is political appetite for action.

For millions of Ghanaian women navigating a job market where their ambitions have too often been met with exploitation rather than opportunity, the President's words in Koforidua however they translate into law mark a turning point in a conversation that is long overdue.

Mustapha Bature Sallama.
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal investigation and Intelligence Analysis.
International Conflict Management and Peace Building.USIP
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