Professor Ernest Aryeetey, Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Ghana, over the weekend broke his long silence over the �invasion� of the university by National Security operatives led by Lt Col Larry Gbevlo-Lartey (Rtd).
He said, �There is no point dwelling on the injustice that has been meted out to the university in the wake of the recent tango with the National Security Coordinator.�
Professor Aryeetey added that individuals should try to make a difference in the society and work towards improving whatever situation they find themselves by making positive impacts.
The Night Invasion
National Security operatives at about 1:30 am on February 18, 2014, according to reports, invaded the Legon campus pulling down a toll booth erected by the University of Ghana authorities to collect road tolls from motorists entering the campus.
The National Security Coordinator later confirmed the demolishing, adding that the university authorities had no right to put up the toll booth at the Okponglo section of the road leading to the university campus.
�The next time they put another block there, we will go and remove it, the structure cannot be there.�
However, addressing graduands at the congregation ceremony of the University of Ghana on Saturday, the VC stressed that ��there is no point in dwelling on the injustice that had been done us. We are willing to forgive and move on. We appreciate the fact that the university community has committed itself to �operation let take our university back�. This is what we mean when we ask for a serene environment for teaching and learning.�
Professor Aryeetey added that having relied on a GH�8 million bond facilities from its bankers, the aim of reducing the build-up of vehicular traffic on the campus had suffered severe hiccups.
While congratulating the graduating students, the VC assured that the move was not motivated by malice.
He said, �We assure the general public that we meant no harm and we were only trying to protect our university in the public interest. We will continue to work in the best interest of the wider community, always mindful of what our mandate is.�
Mrs Patience Akyianu, Managing Director of Barclays Bank Ghana said that the success of the graduands depends on how diligently they would build on the education they have obtained by adding on the required skills, competences and relevant experiences employers look out for in the best job candidates.
In all, a total of 2,534 students graduated at various levels including 21 newly qualified dentist, 156 medical doctors and 156 students with Bachelor of Science in Medical Science.
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