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Empower, Don’t Silence Victims of GBV
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Victims of gender-based violence (GBV) need assurance that when they come forward, they will not be shamed or silenced, experts at a three-day Gender Justice Hub held in Accra last week have said.
According to them, tackling GBV requires a collective effort from government, educational institutions and civil society to build a culture of accountability, justice and safety in Ghana’s higher educational system.
The initiative forms part of a broader project under the UNESCO Chair in Equity, Social Justice and Higher Education at the University of Australia, led by Professor Penny Jane Burke. It was held under the theme, “Towards transformative research for Gender Justice and challenging Gender-Based Violence: The Gender Justice Hub.”
To support national efforts, a Gender Justice Hub has been established in Ghana. The hub comprises about 15 accomplished women from academia, media, law and other sectors committed to promoting research, advocacy and policy engagement on gender justice.
The experts described gender-based violence as a “global pandemic,” stressing that higher education institutions must play a critical role in tackling it. They noted that harassment, intimidation and exploitation within academic spaces undermine confidence, discourage reporting and, in some cases, force victims to drop out of school.
In an interview with The Spectator during the event, partner of the UNESCO Chair, Professor Gifty Oforiwaa Gyamera, said universities have the expertise and moral obligation to lead the fight against GBV.
“Universities are centres of knowledge and social transformation. They must set the standard for ethical conduct and protection of all members of the community,” she said.
Professor Gyamera urged universities in Ghana to take the lead in creating safe and inclusive learning environments. She also called on tertiary institutions to recognise, research and respond to GBV rather than downplay or conceal its impact on access and participation in higher education.
“In Australia, universities are mandated by government policy to respond to GBV through clear reporting systems and survivor support structures,” she said, urging Ghanaian universities to adopt similar approaches to protect students and staff from abuse and ensure accountability.
She raised ethical concerns about lecturer–student relationships, warning that the imbalance of power in such relationships can lead to exploitation, and called on universities to develop explicit ethical policies and disciplinary procedures to prevent abuse and safeguard students.
She urged institutions to conduct regular surveys to determine the prevalence of GBV, create confidential reporting channels and provide psychosocial support for survivors.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
