If you want a job then make a relationship? Ghana government will now ban this practice, President is strict against ‘sex for jobs’

Ghana: In the African country Ghana, a big political and social controversy has now arisen over the demand for sex in exchange for a job i.e. ‘Sex for Jobs’. It has been alleged for a long time that many women face exploitation to get jobs, but now for the first time the President of the country has openly demanded to make a strict law on this issue. Ghana’s President John Mahama has clearly said that demanding personal or romantic relations from a woman in exchange for a job is a serious crime and should be made punishable by law. His statement is being seen as a big step towards ensuring women’s safety and respect at the workplace.

The matter came up for discussion during a town hall event held in Koforidua on May 1. A student present at the program raised questions about discrimination and exploitation of women in the recruitment process. She asked why women have to face such problems while getting a job. Responding to this question, President John Mahama said that the existing laws are not enough to stop this problem. He acknowledged that the practice of “sex for jobs” has become a dangerous form of exploitation in the society and a separate and strict law is needed to stop it. Mahama said that many times hiring officials or employers misuse their position and power. They demand personal relations with women before giving them jobs, which is completely wrong and unacceptable.

Some laws already exist in Ghana

Ghana already has rules regarding sexual harassment under labor law and criminal law. Apart from this, efforts have also been made to provide protection to women through domestic violence law. However, social workers and women’s rights organizations say that these laws mostly apply to cases where workplace harassment occurs after joining the job. But there is no clear legal provision on incidents like demanding sexual relations in exchange for a job. Because of this, many accused easily escape and victimized women are not able to get justice.

Unemployment became a big reason

Experts believe that increasing unemployment among the youth in Ghana is also a major reason for this problem. There is a lot of competition for government and private sector jobs. In such a situation, lack of transparency in the recruitment process often promotes corruption and exploitation. Social activists say that when opportunities to get a job are limited, some officials start taking advantage of their power. Young women are especially targeted because they are afraid to protest because they need a job. Victoria Bright, former legal advisor and lawyer to former Ghanaian President John Kufour, supported President Mahama’s statement. He said that demanding sex in exchange for a job is outright exploitation and should not be accepted under any circumstances.

Cases do not come forward due to social fear

Civil society organizations say that cultural and social pressures in Ghana also play an important role in increasing this problem. Many women do not lodge complaints due to fear of being defamed, spoiling the family’s honor or losing their job. Apart from this, lack of easy access to police and administration is also a big problem. Many times victims do not have confidence that proper action will be taken on their complaint. The result is that such cases are discussed among the people, but very few cases reach the court. Due to this, there is no fear of law among the culprits. Victoria Bright said that when a powerful person demands sex in exchange for a job, it is not only sexual exploitation but also a form of corruption.

What can change if the law is made?

If a new law is made in Ghana making “sex for jobs” a separate crime, it could bring about a big change in workplaces. Social activists say that through the new law a clear legal definition of this crime will be decided. With this, it will be considered different from normal harassment or bribery and strict criminal action can be taken against the culprits. This will give more confidence to women to lodge complaints and will also increase the accountability of the employing officers.

The biggest challenge will be to enforce the law

However, many experts believe that merely making a law will not be enough. The real challenge will be to implement it properly. Former president of the Ghana Journalists Association, Roland Afail Moni, said such cases are not easy to prove because most of the incidents take place behind closed doors. However, he also said that with the help of new technologies and electronic equipment, gathering evidence has now become easier than before. Ghanaian MP Kofi Benteh Afful says that when the country’s President himself is demanding a law on this issue, it shows how serious the problem has become.