The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has slammed as unconstitutional the dissolution of the university’s governing council.
Government on Thursday dissolved the governing council of the university after the violent protest by students there, replacing it with an interim council chaired by Nana Effah Apenteng, Paramount Chief of the Bompata Traditional Area.
It followed briefs and recommendations made by the Minister for Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh after he led a high powered delegation, including the Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah and the Minister-Designate for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah to the University in the aftermath of the violent protest that saw over 30 vehicles including that of the Dean of Students smashed.
The interim council is to manage the school until things settle down within three months.
Reacting to the development after an executive committee meeting, the KNUST branch of UTAG said it is disturbed “by the dissolution of the University’s Governing Council by Government in disregard to the Act and Statutes governing the University.”
“We do not believe that the action taken by Government is the best way to resolve the issue as it frowns on the autonomy of the University and smacks of political interference,” the statement signed by Professor Eric K. Forkuo President of KNUST-UTAG added.
“UTAG-KNUST, therefore, wishes to state emphatically that it does not accept this interim arrangement by government and insist on government allowing the Act and Statutes of the University to work,” the statement stressed warning that should government insist on maintaining the interim council, “UTAG will have no option, other than to advice itself with immediate effect.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
