No one should endure sexual harassment to secure jobs – Prof Opoku-Agyemang

Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for stronger enforcement of laws and institutional policies to combat sexual exploitation in workplaces and academic institutions.

She said although Ghana had established legal and institutional frameworks to protect people against sexual harassment and exploitation, the challenge remains ensuring that the protections are consistently enforced.

The Vice President stressed that no individual should be compelled to endure sexual harassment to secure employment or advance their professional or academic career.

She made the remarks in a social media post on Thursday, November 5, following her participation in the Sex for Jobs Conference organised by The Ark Foundation Ghana.

The conference was held under the theme, "Promoting Accountability and Protecting Those Who Have Suffered Abuse."

Professor Opoku-Agyemang said addressing the practice requires collective responsibility from government officials, public and private institutions, and citizens.

"Nobody should have to endure harassment to secure employment or to achieve professional or academic advancement," she stated.

She acknowledged efforts by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to strengthen gender equity and social protection.

However, she cautioned that legislation alone would not be sufficient to address the problem without effective implementation and institutional accountability.

She urged public and private institutions to establish clear standards of professional conduct, promote public education and develop workplace and academic environments that reject sexual exploitation.