Dr. Butakor & Prof. Gyampo speaks after being punished by the University of Ghana over their sex for grades scandal

The two paddies, Dr. Butakor & Prof. Gyampo has spoken following their hellish punishment meted on them by the University of Ghana over their sex for grades scandal.

A statement released by Director of Public Affairs of the University of Ghana, Stella Amoa on Monday reads;

“In line with statute 46(2) of the University of Ghana Statutes, as amended, and regulation 15.0 of the Code of Conduct for Academic Staff of the University of Ghana, the Disciplinary Committee recommended a six-month suspension without pay for Professor Gyampo and a four-month suspension without pay for Dr Butakor. The suspensions take effect from January 1, 2020.”

According to their lawyer, Francis-Xavier Sosu, the University’s communiqué was misleading.

“However, our clients accept the said decision and would respect it. Our clients have made it clear to us that as senior members of the university, they do not want to further litigate this matter in court or have a protracted dispute over the issue,” a statement issued by Mr Sosu said

Read their full statement below;

“We write for and on behalf of Prof Gyampo and Dr. Butakor to accept the decision of the University to suspend them for six and four months respectively.

Given the background of this case and the fact that our Clients have consistently denied the origin of the action and have raised fundamental issues of natural justice among many others, we are of the firm view that the decision is quite harsh.

The statement by the University creates a lot of doubts in the minds of people and to make it succinctly clear, Prof. Gyampo and Dr. Butakor were not found guilty of Sexual Misconduct or Sex for grades as was initially alleged by the BBC.

It is disappointing that the BBC showed gross disrespect to our Clients and the University by refusing to make themselves available to be cross-examined in the whole process thereby undermining the integrity of the entire administrative proceedings. It is also unfortunate, that the University’s release did not make it clear that the allegations of BBC were false and had no basis.

Additionally given the fact that our Clients were not found guilty of any sexual misconduct contrary to the anti-sexual harassment and misconduct policy of the University, we find it strange that they are required to be subjected not only to training but also to an annual assessment for 5 years in this regard. It is for this reason that we find the decision to be a little too harsh and the university’s communiqué as misleading.

However, our Clients accept the said decision and would respect it. Our Clients have made it clear to us that as senior members of the University, they do not want to further litigate this matter in court or have a protracted dispute over the issue.

Our Clients remain assets to the University and desire to put this matter behind them in the collective interest of the entire University Community. Indeed, they have learnt useful lessons that will guide their future conducts in the university.

We hold the instructions of our Clients that they desire to bring finality to this matter in order for the University and our clients re-focus fully on their core mandate in academia. Yours faithfully. “