Two Women Petition Mahama to Sack Ashanti Regional Minister Over Sexually Offensive Post Targeting Akosua Manu

Two Ghanaian women have submitted a formal petition to President John Dramani Mahama, calling for the dismissal or reprimand of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, over what they describe as a sexually offensive and gender-demeaning social media post directed at former public official Akosua Manu.

The petition, jointly authored by Madam Barbara Twum of the Ashanti Region and Madam Jennifer Owusu of the Greater Accra Region, was submitted to the Executive Secretary at the Office of the President, Jubilee House, on June 9, 2026. It represents a growing pushback against what petitioners see as a disturbing pattern of online harassment targeting women in public life.

The Post That Sparked Outrage

The controversy centres on a post published on Dr Amoakohene’s Facebook timeline that the petitioners say contained sexually suggestive and demeaning language directed at Akosua Manu, who previously served in a public capacity. While the specific content of the post has been widely circulated on social media, the petitioners argue that the language used was not merely inappropriate but constituted a deliberate attempt to undermine a woman’s dignity and professional standing through sexual innuendo.

Akosua Manu, a known political figure, has not publicly commented on the matter at the time of filing, but the incident has generated significant public discourse on social media, with many Ghanaians condemning the Regional Minister’s conduct as unbefitting of a government appointee.

A Broader Pattern of Online Harassment

The petitioners frame their complaint not as a personal grievance but as part of a broader concern about the safety and dignity of women in Ghanaian public life. “When a government official—a Regional Minister, no less—uses his platform to sexually demean a woman, it sends a dangerous message to every Ghanaian woman who dares to enter public service,” the petition reads.

Women’s rights organisations in Ghana have long flagged the disproportionate online harassment faced by women in politics, media, and civil society. Studies have shown that female public figures in Ghana are significantly more likely than their male counterparts to receive sexually abusive comments, threats, and demeaning commentary on social media platforms.

The petitioners argue that failure to take disciplinary action against Dr Amoakohene would effectively signal government tolerance for such behaviour, emboldening others who engage in similar conduct.

Government’s Response Pending

The Office of the President has not yet issued a formal response to the petition. However, sources within government circles suggest that the matter has attracted attention at the highest levels, given the sensitivity of gender-based harassment and the public profile of the individuals involved.

Dr Amoakohene, who was appointed as Ashanti Regional Minister earlier in the Mahama administration, has not issued a public apology or retraction of the post in question. His silence has drawn further criticism, with the petitioners describing it as evidence of “a complete lack of remorse or understanding of the gravity of his actions.”

Implications for Ministerial Conduct

The case raises important questions about the standards of conduct expected of government appointees, particularly in the age of social media where statements are amplified and preserved indefinitely. If the President acts on the petition, it could set a significant precedent for how gender-based harassment by public officials is handled in Ghana.

Conversely, inaction could be interpreted as tacit endorsement of the kind of behaviour the petitioners have condemned, potentially undermining the government’s stated commitment to gender equality and the protection of women’s rights.

As the nation awaits a response from Jubilee House, the petition stands as a reminder that the fight for women’s dignity in public life extends beyond legislation—it demands accountability from those entrusted with public office.

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