The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has given the Governing Council of the University of Education Winneba (UEW) two weeks to resolve challenges at the university.

In a press release, the National President of UTAG, Dr Harry Agbenu, stated: “UTAG-National, therefore, gives the Governing Council two weeks to resolve the current impasse at the University of Education Winneba in accordance with the act and statutes of the university.”

The statement condemned individuals who, according to them, are hiding behind politics to derail the smooth running of the university.

According to Dr Agbenu, academic activities must not be taken lightly and efforts must be made to ensure that individuals do not use academic platforms for their personal interests.

Below is the full statement:

The University Teachers Association of Ghana UTAG has followed with concern development at the University of Education Winneba (UEW) over the past several months. It has become abundantly clear that some individuals hiding behind some political authority are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to attack and conquer everything including the academic freedom of a public universities; freedom that is a prerequisite for a congenial atmosphere for teaching, learning and research .

In the face of well-defined provisions in the respective Acts and Statutes, which govern the various public universities in Ghana, it is sad to note that some individuals attempt in circumventing them through the courts. However, UTAG has faith and confidence in the men and women manning our courts to salvage our public universities from the hands of self-seeking individuals who will stop at nothing to have their way even when their actions ultimately taint the image of the public universities and indeed inimical to public good.

UTAG, therefore, intends to follow the legal path to defend the threatened image and dignity of our public universities as is currently happening at the University of Education Winneba. UTAG calls on all well-meaning Ghanaians to join forces with it to fight these self-seeking individuals who are hiding under the cloak of ‘public interest’ and ‘justice’ to trample upon a time-tested principle of academic freedom. This is a course well-meaning citizens cannot defer for even a minute as academic freedom is at the core of national development.

UTAG-National sympathizes with colleagues at University of Education Winneba as they are forced to work under a court-imposed management against the act and statutes of the university. Also, the national executive committee of UTAG fully supports the current industrial action embarked upon by UTAG- University of Education Winneba. Indeed, as we pursue our case in court, all branches of UTAG are to deliberate on this matter while leadership closely monitors further developments now that a governing Council is in place.

UTAG- National therefore gives the governing Council two (2) weeks to resolve the current impasse at the University of Education Winneba in accordance with the act and statutes of the university.

UTAG reserve the right to deploy all the weapons available to it as a professional association to stop the study and persistent external interference that seems to be creeping into the administration of public universities in Ghana. These interferences if not checked have the potential of grinding institutions to a complete halt. UTAG appeals to its members throughout the country to remain calm in the face of extreme provocation as leadership engages relevant authorities and monitors the situation as it unfolds.

……SIGNED….. Dr Harry L.K. Agbanu