Prof. Christopher Mensah with other Faculty members of Ho Technical University
Prof. Christopher Mensah, Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Ho Technical University (HTU), has cautioned that Ghana’s universities risk reproducing the same workplace abuses they should be helping students to challenge.
Delivering his Inaugural Lecture on the theme “Hidden Curriculum: Toxic Socialisation in Ghana’s Higher Education and Hospitality Sector,” Prof. Mensah revealed that mistreatment and harassment remain widespread in both higher education and the hospitality industry, undermining academic progress, professional development, and psychological well-being.
Findings from his studies showed that 92.2 per cent of students at a Ghanaian technical university had experienced at least one form of mistreatment, with hospitality students reporting the highest levels, mainly from lecturers. Another study found that 93.5 per cent of students had suffered lecturer bullying. In Accra’s hotels, nearly half of employees surveyed admitted experiencing harassment, most commonly from guests.
With more than 65 peer‑reviewed publications, Prof. Mensah has conducted research in tourism development, hospitality management, human resource management, destination marketing, sustainable tourism, academic integrity, service quality, employee well‑being, and student development.
He stated that toxic socialisation manifests through behaviours such as humiliation, intimidation, discrimination, exclusion, bullying, and sexual harassment. He identified quid pro quo harassment and hostile-environment harassment as major forms, stressing that harassment is often used to assert power, reinforce gender stereotypes, and discourage women from pursuing certain academic programmes and careers.
Prof. Mensah warned that institutions often teach “silence, obedience, and endurance” not through the curriculum but by what they allow. He therefore urged lecturers, administrators, hotels, the Ghana Tourism Authority, and students themselves to help dismantle toxic cultures by creating safer, more respectful environments.
“Students and employees must be equipped with the confidence to challenge abuses of power rather than accept mistreatment as an unavoidable part of education or professional life,” he declared.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga, who chaired the ceremony, commended Prof. Mensah for his dedication to scholarship and for advancing HTU’s reputation as a hub of academic excellence.
He urged faculty and students to draw inspiration from such milestones and to deepen their commitment to research, innovation and professional development.
The colourful ceremony featured the donning of the professorial gown by Prof. Mensah and the presentation of various gifts from stakeholders and family members in celebration of his achievement.
The event brought together management, faculty, staff and students of HTU, as well as family members and invited guests, including the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Member of Parliament for Ketu South Constituency, Abla Dzifa Gomashie.
Prof. Mensah’s call to action places responsibility on both institutions and individuals to ensure that Ghana’s universities and hospitality organisations nurture environments where students and employees can thrive without fear of humiliation, discrimination, or harassment.
FROM Daniel K. Orlando, Ho
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