The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, has denied a sexual harassment accusation made against him by the CEO of Africa Integras, Ms Andrea Pizziconi.

According to Professor Oduro Owusu, Ms Pizziconi is “desperate” and “bitter” because he renegotiated her company’s contract with the University of Ghana.

Pizziconi in a tweet said she can relate to the sex for grades expose by the BBC because she was once a victim of sexual harassment.

She wrote: “I have remained mostly quiet despite the battery of attacks by Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu on my dignity. I was advised not to make waves and definitely not to raise the #metoo flag if I wanted to put the project back on track, which I do. Now I feel compelled to speak up and draw a direct line between this sex scandal and our derailed project”.

She claimed that Prof Oduro Owusu declined to work with her to save the Africa Integras project on the basis that she was “far too pretty to worry my little head about the project”.

She alleged that on one occasion when they met, the V-C ordered: “Turn around, everyone, I want to give her a proper hug.”

In her post, she also alleged that Prof Oduro Owusu “confidently declared as much publicly at a UG Council meeting in August 2017 suggesting that the Africa Integras project deal with the university was invalid as it was signed under duress in a hotel room between his predecessor and herself.”

In a swift rebuttal, Prof Oduro Owusu in an interview on AccraFM on Thursday, 10 October 2019 denied the allegation insisting that he does not joke with his hard-earned reputation.

“We have never sat anywhere one-on-one because my policy is that we work as a team and, so, I don’t sit one-on-one with people and that is what she didn’t like.

“The last time she said she wanted to meet me one-on-one, I called the Registrar to join the meeting but when she realised that I was coming with others, she didn’t like that idea. I have never been in a secluded area with her – either in my house, office or hotel; never.”

“The simple thing I will say is that her accusations against me are untrue.”

Prof Oduro Owusu, however, said if the University’s Council decides to investigate Ms Pizziconi’s allegations against him, he is ready and willing to submit himself to that probe.

“Of course, I will make myself available if the University’s Council decides to investigate this matter. I am a law-abiding person, especially when I know I have done no wrong. It is up to her to prove her claims.”