BY Nadia Ntiamoah
A fierce battle over the legacy, conduct, and continued presence of Professor Ransford Yaw Gyampo at the University of Ghana has erupted again, this time extending beyond campus walls into the offices of major international development partners.
Two competing petitions—both purportedly from female alumni of the University of Ghana—have taken opposite positions on whether Prof. Gyampo should be removed and whether global donors should suspend financial support to the university.
The controversy, resurfacing in November 2025, comes against the backdrop of a long history of allegations against the political science professor, dating back to the 2019 BBC Africa Eye “Sex for Grades” exposé, a suspended disciplinary process, his threats to sue critics, and a recent public confrontation with his colleague, Dr. George Domfe.
A Petition Demanding Funding Suspension
On 18 November 2025, a group identifying itself as GIRL POWER—Association of Former Female UG Students/Alumni issued a strongly-worded petition addressed to over a dozen major funding partners, including the World Bank Group, USAID, EU, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NIH, JICA, DAAD, Toyota Ghana, and others.
The petition demanded an immediate suspension of all funding to the University of Ghana (UG) until Prof. Ransford Gyampo is permanently removed from the institution.
The group argued that international organizations have a duty to ensure their financial support does not contribute to environments where sexual harassment, abuse of power, and gender-based victimization persist.
They cited the BBC’s 2019 exposé, the university’s disciplinary findings, and renewed testimonies from former UG students as grounds for action.
According to the petition, the university’s handling of the matter—specifically, its decision to suspend Gyampo for only six months—fell short of global safeguarding standards.
BBC Exposé And UG Investigation
In 2019, BBC Africa Eye’s “Sex for Grades” undercover investigation captured Gyampo in a series of compromising engagements with a woman who presented herself as a University of Ghana student seeking academic support.
The footage included gestures such as suggestive comments and unsolicited physical contact, including what became widely referred to as the “violent kiss attempt.”
Following the exposé, Gyampo loudly rejected the allegations, accusing the BBC of manipulation and vowing to sue the media house. He never followed through with the lawsuit.
The University of Ghana responded by forming a fact-finding committee chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Vida Akoto-Bamfo. On 20 November 2019, the university issued a statement announcing that the committee had found prima facie evidence of misconduct against Prof. Gyampo and Dr. Paul Butakor.
The statement highlighted two major breaches:
Paragraph 6.4 of the Code of Conduct for Academic Staff, requiring that staff comport themselves in ways that enhance the image of the university.
Statute 42(1)(e)(ii), which prohibits vexatious conduct directed at specific individuals and known to be unwelcome.
The university subsequently referred the matter to the Disciplinary Committee for Senior Members and reaffirmed its commitment to combating sexual misconduct. Prof. Ransford Gyampo was later suspended for six months.
Despite promising to “clear his name,” his legal threats—including one directed at Domfe following a recent televised dispute—have similarly not resulted in actual litigation.
Renewed Allegations And Political Undercurrents
This new wave of controversy was sparked partly by comments from Amelia Amemate, a former NDC parliamentary aspirant and former student of Prof. Gyampo, who publicly accused him of sexually harassing her between 2010 and 2014.
She stated that the harassment “nearly destroyed” her education and that she had submitted evidence to the university’s 2019 investigations.
Amelia Amemate rejected claims that her testimony is part of a political smear campaign, saying her experiences “predate any NPP-NDC media wars.”
She added that the NDC’s decision—her own party—to appoint Gyampo to a government office after coming into power “betrayed victims” and sent the wrong message to young women.
Her statements have since gone viral, fueling new calls for independent investigations.
Counter-Petition Claims Political Manipulation
Just 24 hours after the GIRL POWER petition circulated, another petition—also claiming to represent the “True Executive Council of GIRL POWER (Association of Former UG Female Students/Alumni)”—was issued on 19 November 2025, denouncing the earlier petition as a political fabrication.
This counter-petition asserted:
1. The original petition was not sanctioned by the association.
2. It was allegedly pushed by political actors attempting to destroy Prof. Gyampo’s reputation.
3. The BBC allegations were “unfounded,” and the woman in the footage was not a UG student.
4. The university “exonerated” Prof. Gyampo of “sex for grades,” even though the 2019 investigation did not declare him innocent but found prima facie evidence of misconduct.
5. The recent attacks are motivated by opponents of Gyampo’s political commentary.
The group further urged international donors to dismiss the first petition, insisting that Gyampo’s promotions and academic contributions demonstrate his integrity.
Both petitions list senior female alumni as signatories—though it remains unclear which group is legitimate, as no independent verification has been provided.
UG Silent Amid New Claims
As of now, the University of Ghana has not issued a fresh public statement regarding the renewed allegations, rival petitions, or the calls for funding suspension.
The only official record remains its 2019 statement confirming that Ransford Gyampo had a case to answer before the disciplinary process and its subsequent enforcement of a short suspension.
The university has also not responded to concerns about the reappointment of the professor to public positions since 2021.
International Donors Under Pressure
The petition to suspend funding places major development organizations in a sensitive position.
Many of these institutions enforce strict safeguarding policies and require beneficiary institutions to demonstrate zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.
The petitioners argue that continued financial partnership with UG—without decisive action—would make these donors complicit in systemic failures.
However, the counter-petition warns donors against undermining an institution on the basis of “politically motivated allegations.”
A University And Alumni Body Divided
The unfolding controversy has created a rare public split among graduates of the premier university—particularly among female alumni who are typically united around gender advocacy matters.
