The Education Ministry has denied reports that management of the University of Education, Winneba, together with the sector minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, have agreed to reinstate the former Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Mawutor Avorke.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the Education Ministry, Kwesi Kwarteng, a meeting was held between the Education Minister and management of the school; however, the meeting that took place was not about the reinstatement of the Vice Chancellor.
“But bottom line is that, the rumors going around is not factual. At no point in yesterday’s meeting did we ever agree or build any consensus as to whether or not we are affirming or rejecting the decision of the court.”
Kwesi Kwarteng
Kwesi Kwarteng stated that the Ministry met the University’s council to have a briefing on what is going on in the University relating to all matters and the conversation was on issues bothering the university that cannot be made public.
Kwesi Kwarteng’s comments follow a Winneba High Court on Wednesday, February, 2, 2022 ordering the University to reinstate the Vice Chancellor of the school after he was cleared of any wrong doing.
Touching on this, Kwesi Kwarteng said “the court has made their decision and that stands on its own. I am sure the Ministry will continue to engage the university’s council and all stakeholders to bring finality to the issue”.
Ministry on UTAG’s Strike
Speaking on the ongoing UTAG strike, Kwesi Kwarteng stated that the Minister of Education is engaging with the Vice Chancellors of public universities to bring back the striking lecturers to the classroom after four weeks of not lecturing.
Mr. Kwesi Kwarteng stated that the Ministry is hoping to find a lasting solution to the ongoing issue.
“The Education minister has been engaging the leadership of UTAG and officials. That engagement has also been extended by bringing in the Vice-Chancellor of the universities.”
Kwesi Kwarteng
The Education Ministry’s PRO averred that the oncoming of the Vice Chancellors will help to resolve the ongoing impasse.
“The Vice Chancellors will collaborate and help to address the concerns the leadership of UTAG has brought. We should be able to solve the issue as soon as possible and get the lecturers back to the classroom. “
Kwesi Kwarteng
Kwesi Kwarteng disclosed that the Ministry has already met UTAG in an effort to resolve the issue. This, he stated, is part of complimenting the efforts of the Minister and the ministry.
“Let me state that other stakeholders are also involved. We have GTEC, the agency responsible for tertiary education, the Ministry of Employment. All of them are on board in resolving the issue.”
Kwesi Kwarteng
Touching on UTAG’s firm stance on not ending the strike till their demands are met, Mr. Kwesi Kwarteng indicated that with the level of engagement ongoing, the Minister for Education will be able to resolve the issue.
“I mean, there is a precedent to that. If you will recall the initial agreement UTAG and government signed, UTAG were initially on strike. They took the issue to court but it took the intervention of the Minister to get the issue out of court for alternative dispute resolution approach.”
Kwesi Kwarteng
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