Audio Attachment:Listen to Kwamena Duncan in an interview on Peace FM's 'kokrokoo' programme. |
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.
Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com
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I am completely disappointed in Kwamena Duncan. When the President appointed him as the Regional Minister I was so happy for his contributions on political issues. But what has happened over these few days has brought my attention that not all political commentators are good administrative managers. Mr young Duncan , I think you have failed woefully. I am coming to Cape Coast to look for the cobwebs in your closet. You have been a big disappointment .Even your outburst on radio these past days has left a sour note in my mouth. I think you are not fit to be a Regional Minister, maybe an Assembly member would have been good for you, otherwise you should have remained a school teacher for life
It seems Markins or whatever his name is really a master schemer. Creating confusion every where in the name of politics with ethnocentric sentiments haba... He has kicked out Prof Avoke nd Installed Rev Fr Prof Broni. allow his management team to work and stop this mr know all attitude.
Afenyo is a stuuuuupiiid too knowing man. What does he know? Very incompetent and uninteligent
(Iron sharpens iron) Nana Addo's demonstration spirit has engulfed Ghanaians ever since he came to power. (You reap what you sow
this one too they said it was Maham who caused it ooo
NPP should be careful in our educational arena. Is it true that the Prez. Hon. Nana Addo supervised the investiture of the current trouble-maker VC of UEW, even when the matter was in court? I wish the NPP communicators will answer no! Meanwhile Hon. Afenyo-Markins is not helping matters as long as the UEW is concerned.
This is a security issue for which the Regional Minister is directly in charge. The MP cannot use social media to give instruction to the students. AFENYO KEEP OFF THIS ISSUE THE STUDENTS WILL BE RECALLED BY USING THE APPROPRIATE CHANNEL
THIS IS NPP GOVERNMENT FOR YOU. CONFUSION AND LACK OF ORDER EVERYWHERE. EVERYONE GIVES ORDERS AND COMMANDS TO ANYONE ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE. NO ONE IS IN CONTROL BUT EVERYONE IS IN CONTROL BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT IS KNOWN TO BE ALWAYS SLEEPING ON DUTY. SOMEBODY SHOULD SOUND OR RING THE AWAKE BELL TO KEEP THE PRESIDENT AWAKE.