FIGHTING ENDEMIC MALADMINISTRATION AND INSTITUTIONAL IMPUNITY, THE UNTOLD STORY BEHIND THE COURT CASE INVOLVING THE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA (UEW)

FIGHTING ENDEMIC MALADMINISTRATION AND INSTITUTIONAL IMPUNITY, THE UNTOLD STORY BEHIND THE COURT CASE INVOLVING THE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA (UEW)

The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) was first established as a University College, with affiliation to the Cape Coast University in September 1992 by PNDC Law 322, following the amalgamation of Educational Training Institutions at the time. In 2004, the University was given autonomy through Act 672. UEW, as this university is popularly called, is well respected as a centre of academic excellence and a tertiary institution of choice. The serene environment in Winneba coupled with the fine beaches and the hospitality of its people often leave nostalgic memories long after graduation. Apart from UEW, there are some notable state institutions and training centres including the Police Command and Staff Collage and the famous Winneba Senior High School.

I am however deeply saddened as an ALUMNUS of UEW, having observed recently that the school is fast losing the enviable niche it has carved for itself as an institution of excellence owing to the actions and inactions of some top management staff of the school. This is what has compelled me to author this article, especially so because the worrying signals I’ve been picking have been corroborated by a good friend of mine who has lectured at UEW for over 10 years. From what he tells me, it appears that some top management staff of the school have no regard for due process and are also bent on resisting any attempt at making them follow the very law that established UEW.

The Member of Parliament for the area, my good friend, Hon. Afenyo Markin, who is bent on fighting the foregoing wrongs, is regrettably, seen as an enemy of the school. As a concerned alumnus, I have taken the pain to carefully examine and scrutinize all the issues being raised by the MP, both in and outside parliament as well as the reliefs endorsed in the writ of Supi Kofi Kwayera in the ongoing litigation at the Winneba High Court with the view to having a better appreciation of the issues. This exercise I have conducted revealed to me that both Hon. Afenyo-Markin and Supi Kofi Kwayera mean well for the school and its image and as such, ought to be celebrated for their boldness and insistence on due process.

I was shocked to the bone when my lecturer friend told me that certain corrupt principal officers of UEW and their cohorts are harboring the intention of making the University UNGOVERNABLE through the current registrar, Mr. Akwaa Mensah should the court rule against them in the final analysis. Like the first chaos that was caused by closing down the school when in actual fact, the court hadn't said so, Dr. Bekoe who is now the local UTAG President is busily sending text messages and emails to some NDC gurus including MPs to support the continuous stay in office of some corrupt and illegally appointed principal officers when in fact the matter in court has no partisan colour. Again, this clandestine enterprise he engages in, is meant to cause public disaffection against the government of His Excellency President Akufo-Addo and the MP for Effutu. For instance, as we speak, the embattled Registrar has publicly announced a graduation ceremony when he knows that such authority can ONLY come from the Governing Council.

Why will Mr. Akwaa Mensah attempt a further illegality when the one being complained of is yet to be resolved? What mischief does he really intend to achieve? Is it to undermine the authority of the court or to embarrass the government and to divert attention from the core issues? Again why is Prof. Avoke and Dr. Bekoe busily pushing for other interest groups including TEWU and the Alumni of UEW to file Joinder Application to the ongoing litigation? In any event, was the Joinder Application by Dr. Bekoe authorized by the generality of UTAG members through any formal resolution? Absolutely NOT per the facts available.

I have also chanced upon some stinking documents where huge sums of monies were illegally paid to some third party entities under the guise of MOU for road maintenance at the North Campus. Upon a cursory scrutiny of the said documents, it was clear that three characters namely, Prof. Avoke, Mr. Theophilus Akorlie and Mr. Akwaa Mensah are the main conspirators who have caused financial loss to the state. I can now understand their ‘all die be die’ attitude of resisting any forensic audit and expeditious trial of the matter in Court. I was shocked to see public funds being wantonly dissipated as if same had no value.

For instance, a certain Bedine Mensah, Area Manager of Ghana Highways Authority appointed contractors to execute road maintenance works without any procurement process. Ironically, these same companies, namely Sokus and Sons Ltd,Phideta Consult, Larmas Construction Co Ltd, HLB Limited and Gelcom Ltd are owned by the Ghana Highways Officials who were to supervise the works. If this is not a classic case of conflict of interest, then I wonder what else it is. Can the aforementioned Principal Officers claim they were diligent under the circumstances? Why do they think that partisan patronage can give them solace in the face of this mess?

Enough of the corruption. Enough of the injustices. Enough of the maladministration. Enough of the institutional impunity. The students of UEW and past students must rise up to the occasion. Government and all stakeholders must be alert. Our national security officials must open their eyes and not allow certain individuals stampede the will of the laws of the land. UEW must be saved now or never. Let’s all stand up for the truth and stop the politics of patronage and sentiment. Let’s stand solidly behind the people that seek to RIGHT the wrongs of society and this includes, Hon. Afenyo Markin and Supi Kwayera. They are being citizens NOT spectators and I expect you to take a cue from their gallantry. Let’s do it for God and country.

By Iddi Muhayu-Deen