University of Ghana has suspended Dr. Sampson Obed Appiah, a senior lecturer in the Sociology Department, for two semesters due to sexual harassment.

In a notice signed by the University’s Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, and dated March 12, 2025, Dr. Appiah was named among 16 students who faced disciplinary action for different forms of misconduct.

The university stated that Dr. Appiah violated Section 1.1(A) of the Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy and Section 10.0 of the Code of Conduct for Academic Staff. As part of his punishment, he must write a formal apology to the complainant and is prohibited from applying for promotion for one year after his suspension ends.

Additionally, he is required to undergo training on sexual harassment and misconduct, which will be organized by the Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee.

The university has urged all students and staff to familiarize themselves with the institution’s rules and uphold ethical behavior within the academic community.

This is not the first For instance, Dr. Sampson Obed Appiah, a senior lecturer in the Sociology Department, was recently suspended for two semesters due to allegations of sexual harassment. This case highlights the university's ongoing commitment to addressing such issues and enforcing its policies on misconduct.

The University of Ghana has a comprehensive Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy aimed at fostering a safe and respectful environment for all members of its community. The policy defines sexual harassment broadly, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Also, in 2019 two lecturers, Prof. Ransford Gyampo and Dr. Paul Kwame Butakor, were implicated following the "Sex for Grades" exposé.

This was a 2019 BBC documentary that revealed instances of sexual harassment in West African universities, including the University of Ghana. The university responded by interdicting the lecturers and initiating investigations through its Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee. While the committee found no evidence of sexual misconduct as defined by university regulations, the lecturers were found guilty of conduct that brought disrepute to the institution