Sex at workplace backfires

An Ebola Survivor working with the Charity, Street Child –Liberia, has accused a senior officer of the organization of sexual harassment. Ms. Massa Kpenkel alleged to this paper that Mr. Michael Johnbull – Program Officer of Street Child-Liberia, had requested an intimate relationship with her, but she rejected such request on grounds that he was her boss and could not be in love with him.

Despite Massa’s rejection, her boss continued to harass her. She’s quoted in a Street Child-Liberia release as claiming that for the pass days, she has been receiving calls from private numbers, further alleging that someone was following her because, according to her, she has text messages and recordings between her and Johnbull as evidence.

She indicated that as a result of the evidence Johnbull thinks would make him lose his job, such person was after her. According to the Street Child-Liberia release, Massa noted that as an Ebola Survivor, it was not healthy for her, and was calling on people to come to her aid.

But according to the acting Country Director of Street Child- Liberia, Mr. J. Kerkula Benda, a meeting was held last Thursday, involving the management, the accused (Johnbull) and complainant (Massa) at which time it was understood that the matter was resolved, but not until this week when the Massa restated her complaint.

Director Benda is quoted by the release as saying that the organization has reopened an investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, the Mr. Johnbull –the accused, has been granted a leave of absence by the management of Street Child-Liberia to provide him opportunity and time for due process of law to take its course.

The release also quoted the management as clearly stating that the organization has no plans to comment on the reason for the exit of former Country Director, Ophelia J.S. Kennedy, other than to confirm that the probation period of her contract had ended, and that there was no reason for departure.

By Bridgett Milton – Editing by George Barpeen