Sex-for-grade undermining quality education – UPSA Lecturer

A lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Fred Awaah, has decried the wave of sex-for-grade incidents in Ghanaian universities, urging a change in attitude.

He indicated that the practice seriously undermines the quality of education and bring about decadence in our society.

Fred Awaah, who is the former Secretary-General of the All-African Students Union (AASU) made this known as at the launch of the 2019 Accra International Book Festival last Saturday. He said Ghanaian lecturers are as guilty just as the politicians for the moral breakdown and corruption in the country.

“…we are as guilty as the politicians and our critique of the politician can only be meaningful if, in conscience, we can say we are doing right, that which is expected of us,” Mr Awaah said.

Sex-for-grade undermining quality education and claims have been made that, sexual harassment is common in universities in Ghana, particularly public universities.

In 2018, three lecturers were dismissed from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) becuause of Sex-for-grade undermining quality education allegations. They were alleged to be soliciting for sex from some female students. The dismissed lecturers have however challenged the decision of the university.

“Ghanaian and non-Ghanaian lecturers teaching in the tertiary schools are responsible to the public for their behaviour.” “It is not out of place to read or hear in the news, the issues of quid pro quo involving lecturers exchanging marks for sexual favours from female students,” he said, adding “ it’s the lectures own doing which has tendencies of undermining the quality of education in the country.”

He called on all to contribute their mite to the development of this nation.

He is of the view that “If we all Ghanaians are diligent, obey laws, are patriotic, it will compel politicians to conform to the real Ghanaian identity Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and other prominent Ghanaians left us with,”