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A Ghanaian citizen has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to revoke the appointment of Professor Ransford Edward van Gyampo as Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority.
In a three-page petition addressed to the President, the petitioner, Perpetual L. Akwadaa, expressed concern over Prof. Gyampo’s appointment, citing his past involvement in a sexual harassment controversy that gained national attention.
According to the petition, the appointment sends what the petitioner describes as a “dangerous signal” at a time when Ghana is working to strengthen protections for women and girls against sexual violence and harassment. She argued that elevating individuals publicly associated with such allegations to high office could undermine national efforts toward gender equity and accountability.
The petitioner referenced statistics on sexual violence in Ghana, noting that available data from national surveys and police reports point to a persistent and underreported problem. She stressed that victims often face stigma, fear of retaliation and limited institutional trust, which discourage reporting.
The petition further stated that appointing a public official linked to sexual harassment allegations risks eroding public confidence in leadership and could discourage victims from speaking out. It maintained that public office must reflect moral integrity and reinforce the country’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups.
Prof. Gyampo was appointed as CEO of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority in February 2025. While acknowledging that the core mandate of the Authority relates to commerce and shipping regulation, the petitioner argued that leadership positions carry symbolic weight beyond their technical functions.
In her prayer to the President, she called for the revocation of the appointment, an affirmation that individuals associated with sexual harassment or abuse are not eligible for high public office, and a review of the 2025 Code of Conduct to include explicit prohibitions against sexual harassment by public officials.
The petitioner concluded by urging the President to demonstrate moral leadership and reaffirm that abuse of power will not be rewarded in the Republic.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the Presidency regarding the petition.
Yaw Boagyan
