Education think tank, Eduwatch, has welcomed the decision of the Winneba High Court for the authorities of the University College of Education, Winneba (UEW), to reinstate the embattled Vice Chancellor, Professor Avoke who was “unlawfully” dismissed.

According to Eduwatch, the Winneba High Court has ruled that Prof. Avoke, must be reinstated as Vice Chancellor of the University, to complete his “unexpired term” which was disrupted through a five-year period of litigation at the UEW.

Contained in a statement dated February 6, 2022, Eduwatch noted that the court also held that others who lost their positions or were affected by the protracted litigation which cost UEW significant reputational damage be reinstated. Eduwatch explained that their salary arrears must be paid with “retrospective effect from the date they were unlawfully removed”.

“We welcome the decision of the Winneba High Court and commend the UEW Governing Council for expressing its strongest indication that it intends to fully comply with the judgement of the Court and accordingly, re-instate the former Vice Chancellor who was unfairly and illegally removed from office in July 2017”.
Eduwatch

It noted that while the process of reconciliation has begun with the formation of a Committee at the UEW, its successful outcome depends on the genuine honesty and commitment of members and affected persons to forgive and move on.

Eduwatch urges Education Minister to ensure delivery of justice

Following this, Eduwatch called on the Minister of Education to take a keen interest in following through to ensure every decision of the Winneba High Court is fully and timeously implemented to serve justice, especially to innocent persons who have suffered the injustice of being denied their jobs, salaries and other entitlements.

“The lessons from the UEW politics and litigation are too expensive to be forgotten by the university/academic community in Ghana. Let’s all be guided accordingly”.
Eduwatch

It will be recalled that in 2017, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Prof. Mawutor Avoke, was instructed to vacate his post until a case against him and the University Council by Supi Kofi Kwayera has been determined. The plaintiff alleged and cited financial and procurement irregularities on the part of Prof. Avoke.

Prior to Eduwatch’s statement, the Effutu Traditional Council called on authorities at the University of Education, to ensure the resolution of the matter between feuding faction to enable the smooth running of the institution. The Council’s comments follow an order by a Winneba High Court for the reinstatement of some suspended officials of the University.

In a statement signed by the President of the Traditional Council, Neenyi Ghartey VII, the Council noted that it has taken notice of the Court’s ruling on the longstanding impasse that has stained the reputation of the University.

It emphasized that due to the prolonged conflict, Management of the University must take steps to end any dispute among the staff.

“The Effutu Traditional Council has been informed of the decision of the Winneba High Court in respect of reinstating some officers of the University. The fact that Council is being directed by the Court to ensure compliance, the Traditional Council looks forward to Council’s expeditious action in respect of the order without further litigation”.
Effutu Traditional Council

The Council indicated that in view of past turbulences which affected the image of the school and by extension Winneba, they would entreat UEW “to put in measures that will ensure a manifest reconciliation for peace to reign without further rancour”.