Stop interfering in running of universities – Mahama cautions gov’t

Former President John Mahama has cautioned government to stop meddling in the affairs of public universities.

He cautioned government against its actions which he says are affecting cordial engagements among lecturers and management members.

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) says this behaviour of government is ultimately affecting teaching and learning in public universities.

According to him, when the party comes to power, they will continue to promote greater academic freedom in public universities.

Mr Mahama said development on the campuses of the University of Education, Winneba, and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) will never occur under his administration.

Speaking during a meeting with the National Executives of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the former President maintained that government has no business interfering in the running of the universities, noting that the universities have their own autonomous structures in place to deal with their administrative issues.

He restated the NDC’s opposition to the Public Universities Bill, affirming that each and every university must remain autonomous and conduct their affairs without the intended interference in their activities.

“Every university based on its diversity and what its objectives are must have its separate Act… if there are issues with the Act [that established a university], we can amend the Act for that particular university,” he stated.

He stressed further that “if the University Council feels that the work of the Vice Chancellor is not up to standard, it is the duty of the University Council to take action; it is not the duty of government to attempt to remove the Vice Chancellor.”

The Kumasi meeting discussed many topical issues including remuneration, steps towards the introduction of sustainable grants for research and graduate education, the management of utilities on campus, the infrastructure deficit in the universities and the role universities can play in managing the unemployment challenge facing Ghana and other African countries.

The discussions form part of the NDC and John Mahama’s engagement with stakeholders and key groupings ahead of the 2020 general elections.

According to President Mahama, the interactions are aimed at sharing ideas, listening to the concerns and expectations of the various groupings to shape the party’s manifesto for 2020.

The outgoing President of UTAG, Dr Eric Opoku, thanked President Mahama for responding to the invitation and expressed the desire that there will be more of such interactions even after he assumes the presidency.

Mr Mahama was accompanied by Professor Joshua Alabi, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies,Accra, NDC Chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Ashanti Regional Chairman Nana Kwasi and Dr Callistus Mahama.

 


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Ellis Ferdinand
Ellis Ferdinand is a Journalist, Blogger and Founder of Ellis Multimedia, a parent company of EducationGhana.org, an Online Education News Blog, PoliticsGhana.com and GhanaNaija.net.Ellis Ferdinand is a Graduate of Accra College of Education and the University of Cape Coast, where he obtained a Diploma In Basic Education and a Bachelor of Education in Accounting. He is currently Reading his Master of Philosophy in Curriculum and Pedagogic Studies at the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana.Ellis Ferdinand won Blogger of the Year at the 2018 National Students’ Awards and was also adjudged 14th Best Ghanain Blogger in 2018 among the Top 50 Ghanaian Bloggers of 2018.He introduced the Concept of Education Blogging in Ghana in 2014 with his famous blog EducationGhana.net. now EducationGhana.orgHis Blog won Best Media Promoting Education in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively, an Award organized by Neogenics Education Consult.In 2019, He adjudged the Most Promising West African Blogger of the Year in Nigeria. He won Writer of the Year at the 2021 EDUCOM AWARDS

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