The Minister of Education, Mathew Opoku Prempeh, has charged the newly constituted Governing Council of the University of Education (UEW) to consider setting a date for congregation as soon as possible and as a matter of urgency.

According to him, thousands of young men and women remain at home, anxious to graduate in order to pursue employment or further studies; however, they are unable to do so because of the absence of a council.

At the inauguration yesterday at the office of the minister in Accra, he said, “You must take the necessary steps aimed at bringing relief to these students,” he directed.

The development brings to an end a dragging impasse at the university over the nonexistence of a governing council.

In July this year, the university suspended its planned and publicised congregation for the 2018/19 graduands indefinitely.

He was hopeful the new council will be bringing their expertise and vast experience to bear in seeking to resolve outstanding matters.

“Be bridge builders and enablers of peace, and posterity will look favourably upon you,” he urged.

He further charged the newly constituted governing council of the University of Education to ensure that peace and security return to UEW as soon as possible.

This, he said, will in turn enable the smooth running of academic programmes and campus life at the university.

He urged the new council to deal with a number of outstanding grievances of certain individuals in the university to ensure harmony on the labour front.

As the first batch of students to access Free Senior High School prepare to enter the nation’s tertiary institutions, he called tertiary institutions to consider innovative ways by which it can prepare and be rest assured that government will support in whichever way it can.

Dr Prempeh informed the council members that they have been individually and collectively selected to take charge of the university based on their track records. He charged them to, as a matter of urgency, restore calm on campus.

He further asked the council to advance the cause of tertiary education in Ghana and work hard to align academic endeavours with demands of industry, consistent with government’s vision for tertiary education.

Members of the council are Professor Obeng Mireku, Professor Afful-Broni, Madam Irene Osei-Bonsu, Esq., Dr Abena Antwi, Nenyi Gharte VII, Very Reverend Ama Afo Blay, Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwah and Eric Agbe Carbonu.

Others are Professor Mohammed Salifu, Mr Bruno Bajuoase Chirani, Professor Yaw Sekyi-Baidoo, Dr Isaac Abunyuwah, Dr Samuel Adu-Gyamfi, Mrs Theresa Ackon, Mr Godwin Kusi Danquah and Mr Emmanuel Oduro Fosu.

In his response, the chairman, Professor Obeng Mireku thanked the President for the confidence reposed in them and for selecting them to serve on the Governing Council of the University of Education, Winneba.

He pledged the council’s readiness to advance the fortunes of the University of Education, Winneba. He further promised to uphold the mandate of UEW and go by the provisions of all policy guidelines, statutes and acts that guide the running of the University of Education, Winneba.

In a similar fashion yesterday, the Governing Council of the University of Development Studies was inaugurated.