President Mahama petitioned to dismiss Ashanti Regional Minister over alleged sexist Facebook post

Two citizens have petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to take disciplinary action against the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, over an allegedly offensive Facebook post directed at a former public official.

The petitioners, Barbara Twum of the Ashanti Region and Jennifer Owusu of the Greater Accra Region, are asking the President to either reprimand Dr Amoakohene or dismiss him from office.

Their petition was submitted to the Executive Secretary at the Office of the President, Jubilee House, on June 9, 2026.

It concerns a post allegedly published on Dr Amoakohene’s personal Facebook page on June 3, 2026.

According to the petition, the post was directed at Miss Akosua Manu, a former Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority.

The petitioners describe the post as sexually offensive, gender-demeaning and humiliating.

They say the statement was later widely circulated on social media, increasing its impact and exposing Miss Manu to public ridicule.

A screenshot of the alleged post was attached to the petition as Exhibit A.

The petitioners argue that the conduct amounts to sexual harassment, gender-based denigration and misogynistic behaviour.

They also contend that the matter is more serious because the statement was allegedly made by a sitting Regional Minister on a public platform.

The petition relies on Section 6 of the Presidential Code of Conduct and Ethics, 2025.

That section, according to the petitioners, allows the President to receive complaints against political appointees and impose sanctions, including reprimand, suspension or termination of appointment.

They allege that Dr Amoakohene breached several provisions of the Code, including rules on civility, dignity, respect, integrity, professionalism and conduct befitting public office.

The petition also raises constitutional concerns.

The petitioners cite Article 17(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on grounds including gender.

They also refer to Article 35(5)(b), which requires the State to promote the full integration of women into national development.

According to them, a minister who publicly degrades a woman undermines those constitutional values.

They are therefore asking the President to place a formal written reprimand on Dr Amoakohene’s official record.

They also want the President to consider terminating his appointment because of what they describe as the gravity of the statement and the alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct.

The controversy has also attracted criticism from civil society.

The Gender Centre for Empowering Development has condemned the remarks, describing them as sexually suggestive, demeaning and misogynistic.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Esther Tawiah, the organisation said such comments create a hostile political environment for women.

It said women in public life continue to face gender-based abuse, discrimination and character attacks that discourage their participation in national development.