<<Print>>

There seems to be a 'silent' turf war between the Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan and the Member of Parliament for Effutu constituency, Alexander Afenyo-Markin over the reopening of the University of Education, Winneba.

It is unclear if it is a matter of 'show of power' or 'who has more control' when it comes to the UEW brouhaha, as both parties have different views on the matter.

The University of Education Winneba (UEW) was closed down indefinitely on Thursday, following three days of 'violent' demonstrations by the students who are demanding the reinstatement of some dismissed lecturers.

The Central Regional Minister Kwamena Duncan announced the decision of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to shut down the school to avert further destruction of properties and to save human lives.

“Ours at the Regional Security Council is to ensure the peace and security of the university. So on the advice of REGSEC, we cannot continue to allow the university to be in session . . . every passing day, the level of insecurity increases or escalates. As we speak some of the buildings have had their windows shattered, the university’s bus I’m told the glass have been shattered,” he said.

Students were given up to 6p.m Thursday to vacate the campus.

Afenyo's Social Media Dictum

However, in a post on the facebook wall of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu in the Central Region on Friday, Alexander Afenyo-Markin said REGSEC "has ordered the immediate reopening of the university".
 
According to him, "I am happy to inform all students that REGSEC has ordered the immediate reopening of the University. All UEW students are free to remain in the various halls of residence. The police have been duly informed hence no student will be prevented from entering campus. I urge all students to be law abiding".

UEW Still Closed

But Kwamena Duncan who is the Chairman of REGSEC denied giving out such orders.

In an interview on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' programme Friday morning, Kwamena Duncan insists the school is still closed down and that the Central Regional Police command is making sure every student is out of campus.

Inasmuch as he values the opinion of Afenyo-Markin, he believes 'everybody and their lane . . . and everything must be done accordingly'.

"The Official person has spoken; the authority to take that decision has taken it and when we did, we didn't put it on Facebook, we met human beings; press women, pressmen and we spoke; that is the official position. This is a body set up by law... it has spoken and the reopening will come by the same process. I agree he has a role . . . he's making an effort . . . as I speak, the school remains closed and any changes will be announced later," he indicated.

Meanwhile, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has called on the Vice Chancellor (VC) of UEW, Rev. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni who caused the dismissal of the lectures to resign.

Background

It can be recalled that Afenyo-Markin, played a role in the removal of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Professor Mawutor Avoke.

The Supreme Court quashed a Winneba High court decision that led to their suspension and subsequent dismissal of Prof. Avoke.

Subsequently, lawyers of dismissed former Vice-Chancellor wrote to the school’s Governing Council directing it to prepare the office of their client to enable him to resume work.

Prior to this period, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, swore Reverend Father Professor Anthony Afful-Broni, as the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW).

This was amidst a warning by law Professor Raymond Atuguba to President Nana Akufo-Addo for abetting illegality because the induction happened pending the case challenging the removal of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor.