The Ark Foundation Ghana is set to bring together policymakers, employer associations, and advocates in Accra on Thursday, 5 November 2026, for a conference aimed at confronting the prevalent practice of demanding sex in exchange for jobs or promotions. The event, scheduled for the Movenpick Ambassadors Hotel, carries the theme "Promoting Accountability, Safe Workplaces and a Culture of Integrity." This non-governmental organisation describes sex-for-jobs as a form of workplace exploitation where employers or people in positions of authority demand sexual or romantic favours from job seekers or employees in return for employment, promotions, or career advancement.
According to Awurabena Jones, Programme Manager of the Ark Foundation, the practice of sex-for-jobs has become common, with eight out of every ten women in Ghana encountering some form of workplace sexual harassment. However, no official national database exists to confirm the scale of the problem, largely due to underreporting driven by fear of stigmatisation, victimisation, and a general lack of awareness about what constitutes sexual harassment. Jones noted that most of the time, it is underreported, and sexual harassment is not something that people make much noise about.
The absence of hard figures, combined with reports from various training programmes suggesting the problem is worrying, prompted the Foundation to organise the conference. Jones stated that it will not be a surprise if eight out of ten women randomly asked on the street have experienced sexual harassment in some way or form. The conference aims to press organisations to disclose their sexual harassment policies, reporting procedures, and where victims can seek redress.
The Ark Foundation wants substantive evidence that companies are addressing the menace rather than simply having a policy on paper. Organisations found without a policy could be trained and assisted by the Foundation to develop one. Jones emphasised that when incidents of sexual harassment happen in workplaces, people do not even know how to go about reporting, who to report to, or where to seek redress.
The conference follows calls from President John Dramani Mahama, who in May 2026 proposed legislation to criminalise sex-for-jobs, describing it as "unacceptable and exploitative." President Mahama stated that offenders should face strict legal consequences. Lawyer Sheila Minkah-Premo, Convener of the Affirmative Action Law Coalition, has backed the call, describing the practice as demoralising, particularly for young women entering the job market.
Minkah-Premo noted that sex-for-jobs robs victims of the opportunity to gain employment and denies Ghana the right to have the best-qualified people. She expressed her willingness to join any advocacy that criminalises sexual harassment. The Ark Foundation's initiative has garnered support from various stakeholders, highlighting the need for collective action to address this pervasive issue.
The conference is expected to yield positive outcomes, including increased awareness about the issue and a push for organisations to take concrete steps to prevent sex-for-jobs. Ultimately, the goal is to create a safe and accountable work environment where women can seek employment without fear of harassment or exploitation.
Key points
- Eight out of ten women in Ghana report facing workplace sexual harassment.
- The conference aims to press organisations to disclose their sexual harassment policies and reporting procedures.
- President John Dramani Mahama has proposed legislation to criminalise sex-for-jobs.
