The University of Ghana, Legon, has taken disciplinary action against 17 individuals, including a lecturer and 16 students, for various misconducts. The university announced these suspensions, which mostly span two academic semesters, as part of efforts to maintain discipline and uphold institutional integrity.
Among those sanctioned is Dr. Sampson Obed Appiah, a staff member of the university, who was found guilty of sexually harassing a member of the university community. As a consequence, Dr. Obed has been suspended for two semesters in line with Section 45(1)(g) of the University of Ghana’s statutes. In addition to his suspension, he has been directed to sign a written undertaking to exhibit good behavior, undergo counseling, issue a formal apology to the complainant, and attend training on sexual harassment and misconduct under the university’s Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee. Furthermore, he is barred from applying for a promotion for a year after his suspension.
In addition to the lecturer’s suspension, 16 students have been penalized for various offenses, including plagiarism, document falsification, inter-hall conflicts, and drug possession.
Some of the affected students include:
1. Wahid Mohammed – Suspended for one academic year for possessing narcotics, violating Regulation 7.11(f)(1) of the University of Ghana Regulations for Junior Members (2017).
2. Boison Norbert – Suspended for one academic year for narcotics possession. He is also required to sign a written undertaking of good behavior and undergo counseling.
3. Owusu Afrifa, Obeng Takyi Stephen, and Nicholas Armah – Disciplined for various other offenses.
The university’s Registrar, Emelia Agyei-Mensah, emphasized in the official statement that these disciplinary measures align with the institution’s commitment to maintaining order and ensuring students and staff adhere to ethical conduct. The university hopes these actions will serve as a deterrent to others, reinforcing the importance of accountability and responsibility within the academic community.
