Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has described the ousted Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Prof Mawutor Avokeh and the dismissed staff who stormed the University to reclaim his position as 'trespassers' who should be charged.
According to him, the only legitimate Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) is Rev Father Prof Anthony Afful-Broni even though the investigations by the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has cleared the former Vice-Chancellor, Prof Avokeh and others of any wrongdoings.
At the “Meet The Press” series in the Conference room of the Ministry of Information on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, Dr. Opoku Prempeh said that “I can say without hesitation that there is only one Vice-Chancellor in UEW. If in this country we want to go in a lawless way, somebody can run from somewhere and come and sit in the Flagstaff House very soon and say I am the President. There is only one legal legitimate Vice-Chancellor, and that is Reverend Afful-Broni”.
He however advised those with a contrary view of the fact that Rev. Prof Afful-Broni remains the legitimate Vice-Chancellor to go through the legal process as the country is not prepared to accept this kind of lawless attitude.
“ . . anybody who doesn’t understand must go through the legal process. We are not and I repeat that we are not going to accept such a thing. Where will it end? Where will it end?”
“I am rather surprised that the Police have not charged the trespassers in court right now; I am rather surprised because even if you are, somebody must ensure that you are there. You can’t really run to a school, go and sit in the chair and say that you are the Vice-Chancellor; then all of us could have been Vice-Chancellors,” he admonished.
He maintained that it is not easy like that for the former Vice-Chancellor to go and take over as there is a process where he has to go through; thus, “you can challenge a process, you can go to court; you can challenge the process and even if you win, it has to be executed with all through a legal means. We are not and I repeat that we are not in a lawless state”.
Mr. Prempeh’s comments come on the back of attempts by Prof Mawutor Avoke, the ousted V-C, to reclaim his position.
Prof Avoke and five other officers of the university were temporarily injected for alleged breaches of office and malfeasance of a financial nature. After investigations by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Prof Avoke and the others were proven innocent and discharged of the said charges for which they were dismissed.
On Tuesday, 23rd July, 2019, Prof Avoke and the dismissed staff stormed the university to take over the school from the current V-C.
The police were called in to forestall any clashes as tensions rose on campus.
Meanwhile, UTAG-UEW is divided over the matter. One group is in support of Prof Avoke’s comeback while the other has described his actions as “scandalous”.
Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]
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what is all these about? what do you want Dr. Avoke to be doing at the moment. just to sit at home? what is Nana Addo doing about this?
NOW, WHAT DOCUMENTS WERE FORWARDED TO THE EOCO AND AT WHOSE INSTANCE? ANY DOCTORED DOCUMENTS AT ALL COULD BE FORWARDED TO EOCO AND BE USED AS A BASIS FOR DEFENCE. COULD THE GOOD PEOPLE OF GHANA HAVE A LOOK AT THESE- SO- CALLED DOCUMENTS AND THE RULING/JUDGEMENT OF EOCO? ON THE OTHER HAND CAN WE ALSO GET ACCESS TO THE SO-CALLED UEW COUNCIL FACT FINDING REPORT AND READ SAME, THE BASIS ON WHICH THE FORMER VC WAS AXED?
and who is in charge of the so-called due process? the fact is that ovoke has been cleared of any charges leveled against him. this rendered the incumbent VC position nulled and void period... he should get out of the office with immediate effect...did they follow due process in avokes removal?
do not tribalise the argument. you cant go to an office and occupy it because you have been exonerated. you have to follow due process. it included letting the authority been aware to the current exoneration. listen to the response and if you disagree, proceed to court. that is more academic and appropriate for a Professor to do. you may have a good case but if you behave in a certain way, you could lose your case.
@aluta, please let us try to maintain the rule of law in all aspects and activities of this nation else it will come back and hurt us in the near future. This issue went to court so please dont use tribal issues here, Prof, Avoke has a case so he should the same cour process to get his reinstatement
I CAN'T GET THE TAIL OR HEAD OF THIS MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER. IN THE FIRST PLACE WAS MAWUTOR AVOKE NOT ALSO OUSTED BY AN INTERNAL COURT D'ETAT BY THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES? DID THEY USE LEGAL MEANS TO GET AVOKE OUT? OR IS IT BECAUSE HE IS A VOLTARIAN YOU THINK HE DOES NOT BELONG TO YOUR CAMP AND THEREFORE HE HAS TO GO THROUGH LEGAL MEANS SUCH THAT IT WILL TAKE HIM THE WHOLE OF YOUR TENURE IN OFFICE TO WIN THE LEGAL BATTLE OR YOU HAVE A TWIST OF THE ARM OF THE LAW TO DENY HIM OF THE POSITION? AFFUL BRONI IS EQUALLY OCCUPYING THE POSITION ILLEGALLY AND CANNOT BE THE VICE CHANCELLOR OF UEW. A VERY SAD EPISODE IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR. NPP IS FULL OF SO MUCH ILLEGALITIES.