Two Ghanaian citizens, Barbara Twum and Jennifer Owusu, have petitioned President John Dramani Mahama over allegations that the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, made sexually offensive and misogynistic remarks directed at former National Youth Authority Deputy Chief Executive, Akosua Manu (Kozie).
The petitioners are calling for disciplinary action, which they say could include a formal reprimand or dismissal from office.
In a petition dated June 9, 2026, and submitted to the Executive Secretary at Jubilee House, the petitioners urged the President to invoke Section 6 of the Presidential Code of Conduct and Ethics (2025) to investigate and act on what they describe as a serious breach of ministerial standards.
“The petition concerns serious breaches of the Presidential Code of Conduct and Ethics (2025) by Dr. Frank Amoakohene arising from sexually offensive and misogynistic remarks published on social media,” the document states.
At the centre of the complaint is an alleged Facebook post attributed to the minister, which the petition quotes as: “Akosua Kumaa, wokon do anaa? You want to have a taste of it?”
According to the petitioners, the statement was “sexually explicit, vulgar, and gender-demeaning,” and was directed at Ms. Manu.
They further argue that the language amounts to sexual harassment and is incompatible with the dignity expected of a public official, describing it as “a deliberate, crude, and sexually suggestive reference” that cannot be interpreted in any benign context.
The petitioners also contend that the conduct violates multiple provisions of the Code, including requirements on civility, dignity, professionalism, and the obligation of public officials to treat all citizens with respect, particularly women.
“The phrase ‘You want to have a taste of it?’ is a direct sexual solicitation… This constitutes sexual harassment,” the petition states, adding that it creates “an environment of fear, hostility and degradation for women.”
Beyond internal ethics rules, the petition also cites constitutional principles, arguing that the alleged conduct undermines equality protections and the state’s obligation to promote women’s participation in national development.
“The sexual degradation and public humiliation of a woman by a Minister of State… is fundamentally incompatible with this constitutional guarantee,” it says.
The petitioners are therefore urging the presidency to take two key actions: a formal written reprimand to be placed on Dr. Amoakohene’s record, and consideration of terminating his appointment.
“Considering the gravity of the Offending Statement, ‘Akosua Kumaa, wokon do anaa? You want to have a taste of it?’ and the multiple and serious breaches of the Presidential Code of Conduct and Ethics (2025) established herein, we respectfully urge Your Excellency to exercise the authority vested in you under Section 6 of the Code and grant the following reliefs:
a) Formal written reprimand: That a formal reprimand be placed on the official record of Dr. Frank Amoakohene;
b) Termination: That Your Excellency considers the outright termination of the appointment of Dr. Frank Amoakohene, having regard to the sexual and degrading nature of the Offending Statement,” a portion of the petition read.
