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 flag bearer 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.
Accra, NDC Chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Ashanti Regional Chairman Nana Kwasi and Dr Callistus Mahama.
Source: MyJoyOnline.com
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