The National leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has called the bluff of the University of Ghana branch of the association over threats to impeach the National President, Professor Charles Ofosu Marfo.
UTAG-UG over the weekend gave indications that it has initiated an impeachment process against the national President of UTAG.
UTAG-UG accused Prof. Marfo of compromising UTAG’s position on the controversial Public Universities Bill which is currently before Parliament.
“At this emergency meeting held on Thursday, June 11, 2020, the University of Ghana branch of UTAG (UG-UTAG) resolve to initiate impeachment proceedings against the national president of UTAG for consistently misrepresenting and sidelining UG-UTAG’s position on the Public Universities Bill 2020 in his public engagements,” the UG lecturers said in a statement.
“UG-UTAG has observed that the demeanour and public utterances of the national president suggest that he is not committed to carrying out the mandate of the public universities, which is, advocating for the withdrawal or rejection of the Public Universities Bill by the Executive or Parliament, respectively,” it further explained.
But the National Vice President of UTAG, Dr. Otchere Addai Mensah said the threat should be treated with contempt.
“There are laid down rules and regulations for the impeachment of national officers and I am sure that if they speak to lawyers, they would have known that that letter has been written and it serves against the provisions of the UTAG constitutions. UTAG remains a united front. The Dr. Charles Marfo–led leadership has given UTAG one of sound and resolution leadership,” Dr. Otchere Addai Mensah said.
About the Public Universities Bill
According to the framers of the Public Universities Bill, it seeks to harmonize the finances, administration and governance structure of public universities.
The Bill, when passed, will give the government power to appoint the majority of members of the University Council.
The Council then has the power to appoint and fire public university officials.
The Bill also gives the President the power to dissolve the University Council which will now have the power to appoint a chancellor.
It also gives effect to the University Council to control the finances of the university and determine the allocation of funds.
In addition, there is a proposal to rename four public universities after various personalities.
Calls for rejection of Bill
This has attracted wide public criticisms from stakeholders within the educational sector.
The University of Ghana lecturers contend that Vice-Chancellors could become puppets of politicians under the Public University Bill.
The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences has described the bill as poorly motivated.
Former Vice-Chancellors of the University of Ghana, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey and Prof. Ivan Addae-Mensah have all called for the Bill to be withdrawn from Parliament.
