Don’t be an Idi Amin, withdraw Universities Bill – Ablakwa to Nana Addo
- 09 Apr 2019 --
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has called on government to abandon the newly drafted Public Universities Bill that has received some resistance from stakeholders within the educational sector.
In a statement, Mr. Ablakwa, a former Deputy Education Minister, said the Bill, if allowed to pass could become “a crude attack on the sacred principles of academic freedom”.
The draft Bill is courting controversy because of some controversial clauses putting significant power over the schools in the hands of the state.
Among other things, the draft Bill, which has been sighted by Citi News, gives the President the power to dissolve and reconstitute the governing council of a public university in cases of emergencies.
The President is also given the power to appoint an interim council to operate for a stated period.
Mr. Ablakwa views these clauses as a response to President Nana Akufo-Addo’s failed attempt to dissolve the University Council of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and dismiss its Vice-Chancellor during the crisis at the school in October 2018.
“Those circumstances as is well known, left the Government with a bloody nose, figuratively, following the bulwark provided by the Chancellor, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II with the support of the larger university community in resisting that violent interference after lessons were learnt from Prof. Mawutor Avoke of UEW’s predicament.”
“This seems clearly to be the immediate cause of Government’s frustration and therefore explains why Government will embark on this reckless, ill-advised and short-sighted intervention to ostensibly create the legal basis for a more lethal come back.”
If the draft Bill remained, the MP said President Akufo-Addo risks being regarded in the same vein as Ugandan dictator, General Idi Amin Dada as far as tertiary education is concerned.
“President Akufo-Addo, respectfully, you do not deserve to be remembered by posterity as the General Idi Amin Dada of university education in Ghana,” he added.
Find below the sections of his statement
REPULSIVE AND CONTEMPTUOUS PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES BILL MUST BE ABANDONED WITHOUT DELAY
I shall now highlight some of the problematic and offensive provisions in the draft bill more specifically:
1) Clause 3(1) which seeks to give the President powers to appoint a majority of five members of a proposed nine member governing council.
This proposal will successfully place the University Councils and by logical extension the entire university under political control. If this is allowed, it will effectively mark the death of the notion of an independent university. Suffice to add that university dons who espouse views which may be at variance with the ruling party risk endangering their academic careers since Clause 5(h) requires the new politically controlled Councils to approve professorial level appointments.
2) Clause 3(5) grants the President sweeping powers to dissolve and reconstitute governing councils at his pleasure in cases of “emergencies.” Perhaps, even more worrying is the fact that the act fails to define what it means by “emergencies” in the interpretation section. This nebulous and amorphous animal called “emergencies” will only create fertile grounds for abuse and a further attack on university councils especially in times when the Government disagrees with a Council decision. The recent KNUST impasse is a classical example. Another point to consider is that Council members will be beholden to the President, living in constant fear of being dissolved or removed much to the detriment of the institutions they serve.
In any case, I would have thought that in times of emergencies – whatever emergencies stand for, the rich wisdom available on the university councils will be relied upon to help the powers that be to overcome such emergencies instead of this indecent hurry to do away with the Councils perhaps in times they are needed most.
3) Clause 24 dangerously arrogates approval of all financial matters in public universities solely in the hands of the Minister responsible for Finance in ways that appear inconsistent with Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution which gives such powers strictly to Parliament.
4) Clause 34 contemplates a Centralised Admission Platform and for which I read in the newspapers some weeks back that a committee has already been set up to recommend modalities for implementation.
This is yet another unwarranted assault on our universities. There is absolutely no basis for wanting to deny public universities their right to conduct their own admission processes and determine for themselves based on merit who they decide to invite into their student fold. The current system of admissions have worked quite well without controversy over the past decades. There is no need for any kind of unsolicited political interference whatsoever in admissions which as we have seen with many of such schemes in other sectors controlled by Government, soon meritocracy gives way to cronyism, clannism and “whom-you-knowism.”
If it is that Government seeks to make policy interventions in the kind of programmes we should prioritise as a nation, the practice has been to establish norms under the auspices of the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) – this practice could be strengthened instead of virtually hijacking the admission process.
Again, learning from history; if the Prof. Kwapong Sub-Committee on Admission Policy in May 1963 rejected similar attempts to interfere with admission modalities as was then spearheaded by the powerful Kojo Botsio who doubled as Minister of Education and Chairman of the National Council for Higher Education, I do not see how the current Government will succeed with this latest attempt. Of course, except if contemporary university management across the country is willing to allow the Government a foothold.
5) Clause 35 envisages that student governance must be restructured to be consistent with provisions of this obnoxious bill. As a former NUGS President, and to the extent that this law flies in the face of the tenets of academic freedom and institutional autonomy, I expect student leaders to appreciate the harm this new law, if passed, will do to the quest for world class academic excellence and its impact on their degrees. This is the time for student leaders to forge strong coalitions with their lecturers and other interest groups to resist oppressor’s rule. Fewer an occasion in the history of the student movement has required defining and decisive mobilization.
6) Clause 36 is perhaps more insulting as it pushes for all public universities to come under harmonised statutes. This attempt to make our public universities glorified Junior High Schools without taking into account their unique missions and social anthropology is most offensive to say the least.
7) Clause 42 presents another bizarre provision which states that: “The Minister may from time to time give policy directives through the National Council for Tertiary Education to the University and the University shall comply.”
This is most unacceptable! Why are we pouring such scorn on our university dons? Enough of the disdain and utter disrespect!
The history of higher education in Ghana teaches us that not all policy directives from Government have been found to be helpful or noble and therefore requiring strict compliance. On 11th April, 1964, a presidential directive setting up an Appointments Committee which demanded that all the university institutions in Ghana use that body for appointment of their staff was politely disobeyed. So was the case when Government in 1977 decided to prematurely retire two University of Ghana Professors of the Medical School in a rather strange development – the university, for good reason refused to comply in an act of defiance worthy of commendation.
If this law is passed, we run the real risk of Ministers of Education who are often activists of political parties making our universities their political playground especially in this era of extreme political polarisation.
I shall conclude with a passionate appeal to President Akufo-Addo to without any further delay withdraw and abandon this repulsive and contemptuous policy. This cannot be a sound policy path for a democrat.
No doubt, the world’s worst tyrant would be jealous of our President if he proceeds on this despotic and inglorious pursuit to assail academic freedom and institutional autonomy in our globally acclaimed and thriving universities.
President Akufo-Addo, respectfully, you do not deserve to be remembered by posterity as the General Idi Amin Dada of university education in Ghana.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP)
[Former Deputy Minister for Education]
8th April, 2019.
3,712 comments
The Confidential
8:28 amGreat work! That is the kind of information that are meant to be shared around the internet. Disgrace on the search engines for now not positioning this put up upper! Come on over and consult with my web site . Thank you =)
https://tinyurl.com/4m8jyy8n
The Confidential
8:28 amThe very next time I read a blog, Hopefully it does not disappoint me just as much as this particular one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read through, however I really thought you’d have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something that you could possibly fix if you were not too busy searching for attention.
https://bit.ly/fakazaio
The Confidential
8:28 amAnother thing I have noticed is the fact that for many people, poor credit is the result of circumstances further than their control. Such as they may have been saddled with illness so they really have excessive bills for collections. It might be due to a job loss or the inability to go to work. Sometimes divorce can send the financial situation in an opposite direction. Many thanks for sharing your notions on this blog.
https://homedesigninstitute.com/question/5093/what_is_scandinavian_interior_design/
The Confidential
8:28 amThanks for your article. One other thing is always that individual states have their own laws of which affect house owners, which makes it quite difficult for the the legislature to come up with a new set of rules concerning property foreclosures on householders. The problem is that a state possesses own laws and regulations which may have impact in a negative manner on the subject of foreclosure policies.
https://www.coydoll.com/
The Confidential
8:28 amWhen I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks a lot.
https://staff.blog.ui.ac.id/rendi.supiana/wisata-di-bogor-yang-dapat-dikunjungi/
The Confidential
8:28 amGood ? I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task..
https://www.eurasc.org/supplements/does-eating-bananas-increase-your-testosterone/
The Confidential
8:28 amGreat work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my site . Thanks =)
https://www.jsbhealthcare.com
The Confidential
8:28 amIt is indeed my belief that mesothelioma is definitely the most dangerous cancer. It has unusual features. The more I actually look at it a lot more I am assured it does not behave like a real solid human cancer. In case mesothelioma is often a rogue virus-like infection, in that case there is the probability of developing a vaccine along with offering vaccination to asbestos open people who are open to high risk of developing future asbestos relevant malignancies. Thanks for sharing your ideas about this important ailment.
https://99bitcoins.com/best-bitcoin-casino/
The Confidential
8:28 amI like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I?ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website 🙂
https://99bitcoins.com/buy-bitcoin/paypal/
The Confidential
8:28 amI’m very happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the random misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.
https://www.offshoresportsbooks.com/
The Confidential
8:28 amThat is the proper blog for anyone who needs to search out out about this topic. You understand so much its nearly exhausting to argue with you (not that I truly would want?HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, just great!
https://xcaosystemgroup.com/
The Confidential
8:28 amThere is certainly a great deal to find out about this issue. I love all of the points you have made.
https://clicavisos.com.ar/author/drakeopera26/
The Confidential
8:28 amWhat i do not realize is in reality how you are not actually a lot more neatly-appreciated than you might be right now. You are so intelligent. You recognize thus considerably when it comes to this topic, produced me individually consider it from a lot of various angles. Its like women and men are not involved until it is something to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs great. Always maintain it up!
https://www.picktechsolution.com/
The Confidential
8:28 amI do not even understand how I finished up here, but I thought this publish used to be great. I don’t recognise who you’re but certainly you’re going to a well-known blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
https://wishescave.com/category/anniversary-wishes
The Confidential
8:28 amI don?t even know how I ended up here, but I believed this submit was great. I do not realize who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger for those who aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
https://solitairegames.website/
The Confidential
8:28 amGood day! I just would like to offer you a huge thumbs up for the excellent information you’ve got here on this post. I am returning to your web site for more soon.
https://express-page.com/story14104038/mp3juices-guide
The Confidential
8:28 amThanks for your post here. One thing I’d like to say is the fact most professional fields consider the Bachelor’s Degree as the entry level standard for an online college degree. Although Associate Qualifications are a great way to begin with, completing your own Bachelors starts up many good opportunities to various professions, there are numerous on-line Bachelor Diploma Programs available through institutions like The University of Phoenix, Intercontinental University Online and Kaplan. Another concern is that many brick and mortar institutions provide Online types of their college diplomas but commonly for a drastically higher cost than the corporations that specialize in online course plans.
http://yuxiaomiao.com/2023/01/26/risky-credit-card-handling-for-iso-merchant-brokers/
The Confidential
8:28 amI will immediately grab your rss as I can not find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
https://www.ikariajuice-ikariajuice.com/
The Confidential
8:28 amThanks for your article. I also believe that laptop computers have become more and more popular lately, and now are usually the only type of computer included in a household. The reason is that at the same time actually becoming more and more affordable, their computing power is growing to the point where they can be as powerful as desktop from just a few years back.
https://bitcoinwisdom.com/cryptosoft-review/
The Confidential
8:28 amVery good post. I’m experiencing a few of these issues as well..
https://music90528.dsiblogger.com/47414423/fakaza-io-full-guide
The Confidential
8:28 amThis website was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Thank you!
https://bookmarkspy.com/story14934004/fakaza-examine-secrets
The Confidential
8:28 amI have observed that car insurance businesses know the cars which are at risk of accidents and various risks. Additionally , they know what form of cars are prone to higher risk plus the higher risk they have the higher the particular premium fee. Understanding the very simple basics with car insurance will let you choose the right types of insurance policy that may take care of your preferences in case you get involved in an accident. Many thanks for sharing the actual ideas in your blog.
https://qiita.com/4flixco
The Confidential
8:28 amThis website was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me. Thanks a lot!
https://www.rolonet.com/blogs/236784/Inilah-Kelebihan-dan-Kekurangan-Sinyal-4G-LTE-yang-Perlu-Diketahui
The Confidential
8:28 amWonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Thanks
https://www.zoritolerimol.com
The Confidential
8:28 amI have discovered that wise real estate agents all around you are Advertising. They are recognizing that it’s in addition to placing a sign in the front place. It’s really pertaining to building human relationships with these suppliers who someday will become consumers. So, when you give your time and energy to encouraging these suppliers go it alone – the “Law associated with Reciprocity” kicks in. Interesting blog post.
https://easytvuk.co.uk/satellite-tv
The Confidential
8:28 amOh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thanks, However I am experiencing issues with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I am unable to join it. Is there anybody having identical RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks.
https://music88876.ambien-blog.com/21671576/the-only-finest-technique-to-use-for-fakaza
The Confidential
8:28 amI was able to find good info from your blog posts.
https://bbs.pku.edu.cn/v2/jump-to.php?url=https://tubidy.ws
The Confidential
8:28 amThis site truly has all of the information I wanted concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
https://thegreatbookmark.com/story13996195/tidak-didapati-pengakuan-faktual-perihal-rindu-band-kehilanganmu-berat-buatku
The Confidential
8:28 amThanks for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such magnificent info being shared freely out there.
https://thepetagrees.org/get-cheap-vet-insurance-prices-for-cats/
The Confidential
8:28 amRight here is the perfect webpage for anyone who wishes to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a subject that’s been discussed for years. Great stuff, just excellent.
https://caidennlhci.fare-blog.com/17307004/not-acknowledged-information-about-tubidy
The Confidential
8:28 amIt?s exhausting to search out educated individuals on this matter, but you sound like you realize what you?re speaking about! Thanks
https://thechronicbeaver.com/best-online-dispensary-canada-top-6-list/
The Confidential
8:28 amExcellent web site you have here.. It’s difficult to find excellent writing like yours nowadays. I honestly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
https://music91223.dailyblogzz.com/20876172/trik-chord-kok-iso-yo-5-detik
The Confidential
8:28 amGreat info. Lucky me I recently found your website by accident (stumbleupon). I’ve book-marked it for later!
http://mdg-msk.ru/user/boatyear1/
The Confidential
8:28 amvery nice put up, i actually love this website, carry on it
https://www.neurotonix–us.com/
The Confidential
8:28 amHaving read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth it!
https://damienop799.blazingblog.com/17333526/the-utmost-lead-towards-music-juice-mp3
The Confidential
8:28 amMy brother suggested I might like this web site. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
http://jr-001.com/2023/02/02/vendor-services-what-your-own-business-needs-to-realize/
The Confidential
8:28 amHi, i think that i saw you visited my site so i came to ?return the favor?.I’m trying to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
https://cards2cash.co.uk/
The Confidential
8:28 amGood post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be interesting to read through content from other writers and practice something from other web sites.
http://global-autonews.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=bd_001&wr_id=23359&sfl=wr_subject&stx=EC9DB8ED94BCEB8B88ED8BB0&sop=and&page=2
The Confidential
8:28 amThis excellent website truly has all the information I needed about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
http://xn--999-5cdet0cirx.xn--p1ai/user/expertmind44/
The Confidential
8:28 amhello there and thank you on your info ? I?ve definitely picked up something new from right here. I did alternatively experience several technical points the use of this web site, since I skilled to reload the web site lots of times prior to I could get it to load properly. I had been pondering if your hosting is OK? Now not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances instances will sometimes have an effect on your placement in google and could injury your high-quality score if ads and ***********|advertising|advertising|advertising and *********** with Adwords. Well I?m adding this RSS to my email and can glance out for a lot extra of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this once more very soon..
https://fangwallet.com/
The Confidential
8:28 amThis is a topic that is close to my heart… Best wishes! Exactly where can I find the contact details for questions?
https://sub4sub.net/forums/users/bootspain06/
The Confidential
8:28 amA different issue is really that video gaming has become one of the all-time biggest forms of excitement for people of every age group. Kids have fun with video games, and also adults do, too. Your XBox 360 is probably the favorite games systems for folks who love to have a lot of games available to them, as well as who like to play live with other folks all over the world. Many thanks for sharing your notions.
https://fangwallet.com/
The Confidential
8:28 amSpot on with this write-up, I really suppose this web site wants far more consideration. I?ll probably be once more to read rather more, thanks for that info.
https://easytvuk.co.uk/how-to-install-a-uhf-aerial/
The Confidential
8:28 amHey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I?ll definitely return.
https://www.prodentim-prodentim-prodentim.com/
The Confidential
8:28 amI have been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website. Reading this info So i?m happy to convey that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to do not forget this website and give it a look on a constant basis.
https://fixedmatches-1×2.com/
The Confidential
8:28 amI like looking through an article that can make people think. Also, many thanks for allowing for me to comment.
http://mapindex.com.tw/home.php?mod=space&uid=334810
The Confidential
8:28 amThat is a great tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article!
https://mariohb627.loginblogin.com/22034510/not-accepted-information-regarding-mp3juice
The Confidential
8:28 amYou actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I?ll try to get the hang of it!
https://isma.ppsma.dindik.jatimprov.go.id/ektsp/data/
The Confidential
8:28 amI blog frequently and I genuinely thank you for your content. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I will take a note of your website and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.
https://staff.blog.ui.ac.id/rendi.supiana/rekomendasi-10-lagu-pop-terpopuler-indonesia-terbaru-2022/
The Confidential
8:28 amAw, this was a very good post. Finding the time and actual effort to produce a top notch article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.