“It must stop”- Mahama calls for criminalisation of sex-for-Jobs

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

Speaking during a town hall meeting as part of his “Resetting Ghana Tour,”, President Mahama did not mince words, stressing the urgent need for decisive action to protect job seekers, particularly young women, from abuse.

“One of the worst things, and I think that we should pass a bill to make it very 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,” he stated.

President Mahama condemned the practice, noting that it undermines fairness and dignity in the workplace and denies qualified individuals equal opportunities.

“It’s unacceptable. It must stop. It’s unacceptable. It must stop,” he reiterated.

He emphasised that Ghana must take a firm stance against such conduct by enacting laws that impose severe consequences on perpetrators.

“And I think that we must take a firm line on that thing. I mean, if anybody does that, there should be a law that deals with them very strongly,” the President added.

The call forms part of broader efforts to promote integrity, transparency, and equal opportunity within Ghana’s labour market, as concerns grow over reports of sexual exploitation linked to employment processes.