Ghanaian woman files sexual assault complaint against Moroccan Ambassador to Ghana

A Moroccan delegation on Thursday, January 17, 2019 arrived in Ghana to investigate a case of  sexual assault allegedly perpetrated by the Moroccan Ambassador to Ghana, Mohamed Farahat. 

Graphic Online sources at the embassy say Ambassador Farahat has, however, denied the allegation.

His accuser, Jemimah Flintwood-Brace worked as a local agent at the embassy but had to resign following the alleged assault.

In a resignation letter sighted by Graphic Online, Ms Flintwood-Brace said she had to resign from the embassy because she could not deal with the stress that came with being sexually harassed.

The letter which was addressed to the Ambassador read in part:

“This letter is to inform you that I am forced to resign from my position as a local agent at the embassy of the kingdom of Morocco in Accra, Ghana. The resignation is the result of sexual harassment I have endured for the past few weeks.

“On two separate occasions I have [been] sexually harassed by you. Fist (sic) on 11th December where you groped me in your office after I had served coffee and again in your office on 20th December where you told me to turn around so you could slap my buttocks.

“It is rather unfortunate that the person we should be able to seek refuge in when we are harassed sexually by our colleagues at the Embassy is the one who is involved in such an unprincipled act. I will not allow the stress that comes with being sexually harassed be a part of my life. Nothing is worth more than my mental wellbeing and peace of mind.

“I will forever be grateful for the valuable experience I have earned while working at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Accra, Ghana.”

A test of ‘courage’

In a formal complaint lodged at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Rabat, Morocco, on Friday, January 4, 2019, Ms Flintwood-Brace gave detailed accounts of her allegation.

According to her, the Ambassador tried to buy her silence by promising her better prospects for her career at the embassy.

“He told me he would sponsor a month-long internship for me at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Rabat, but first he had to make sure I was courageous enough to earn it.”

“He told me he would sponsor a month-long internship for me at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Rabat, but first he had to make sure I was courageous enough to earn it. Next thing, he was unto me, groping me and squeezing my buttocks. He slumped himself into me and made sure I could feel his crotch. At this point, he was enveloping me and urging me to move my body closer into his. I managed to break free and told him if that was a test of my courage, then I was timid.”

In her letter, Ms Flintwood-Brace said she feared the harassment would stop any time soon since the Ambassador’s secretary, who was pregnant, would soon go on maternity leave “which will leave me at his mercy.”

She stated, however, that by bringing the incident to the attention of the Ministry, further harassment of future employees would be averted.