Mahama proposes law to criminalise ‘sex-for-jobs’

President John Dramani Mahama has proposed the passage of a law to criminalise the demand for romantic or sexual relationships in exchange for employment opportunities, describing the practice as unacceptable and exploitative.

He made the call on Saturday, May 2, during a town hall engagement at Adweso in Koforidua at the end of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Eastern Region.

Addressing participants, the President condemned the abuse of power by some employers who allegedly demand intimate relationships from women as a condition for offering jobs.

“One of the worst things, and I think we should pass a bill to make it punishable, is that sometimes if the employer or the person responsible for employing is a male, they demand some romantic relationship before they give them jobs. It is unacceptable. It must stop,” he stated.

He stressed that anyone found engaging in such acts should face strict legal consequences, insisting that stronger laws are needed to protect women from workplace exploitation.

President Mahama also reiterated his administration’s commitment to implementing the Affirmative Action law, noting that efforts are underway to achieve 50-50 gender parity in public appointments by the end of 2028.

He acknowledged the challenge but said government remains determined to meet the target.