Concerned Members of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), University of Cape Coast (UCC) branch, have strongly disagreed with and dissociated themselves from a statement released by UTAG UCC’s Executive.
The group argued that the statement, calling for the Council Chairman’s removal without consulting UTAG members, falsely implied that the entire Association supported the move, which does not reflect the views of UTAG UCC’s 800 members.
According to the group, the statement was a unilateral decision by a few Executive members, contributing to unnecessary campus tension and contradicting the Association’s core mandate.
The Concerned Member thus indicated that such decisions should be made through broad consultation and majority consensus, especially during these challenging times for the University.
“Unfortunately, and strangely, no meeting was called to seek the views of members on the issue. Indeed, at an emergency meeting held on Friday, 2nd August 2024 some members expressed strong reservations about a press statement issued on 1st August 2024 by UTAG UCC Executive without consultation with the membership of the Association”.
“It was agreed at the said meeting that a meeting would be called subsequently to discuss the happenings on campus. Unfortunately, no such meeting was called before the most recent press release dated 16th September 2024… We consistently find the posture of the UTAG UCC leadership undemocratic, dishonest, and grossly disrespectful of its own membership”.
UTAG UCC Concerned Members
The group further stated that in the 1 August 2024 statement, the UTAG Executive cautioned the Council Chairman against actions on the Vice-Chancellor’s extension due to a pending injunction.
The group stated that however, the Executive Board also prematurely judged the matter, stating the renewal claims were unfounded, which is both prejudicial and contemptuous.
Despite an injunction from the Cape Coast High Court and a directive from GTEC, the Executive supports the Vice-Chancellor remaining in office.
This, according to the group, undermines the Council Chairman’s efforts to uphold good governance, accountability, and the rule of law.
Concerns Over UTAG UCC Executive’s Support for Vice-Chancellor
The Concerned Members of UTAG UCC noted that despite concerns over the Vice-Chancellor’s extension beyond his 60th birthday, which many believe violates Ghanaian law, the UTAG UCC Executive consistently supports the Vice-Chancellor while overlooking members’ welfare.
The group indicated that tensions on campus predate the current Council, stemming from issues like salary withholding, unlawful dismissal of a Senior Lecturer, and favoritism.
As such, the group stated that the Executive’s 16th September 2024 statement seems aimed at blocking GTEC’s intervention to appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor, despite a court order restraining the current Vice-Chancellor.
Meanwhile, campus instability grows due to mismanagement, including ongoing legal disputes, election controversies, and attempts to block Council discussions on the Vice-Chancellor’s extension.
“When the Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission ordered the University Council to reverse a three-month appointment legally offered to the immediate-past Registrar, who retired on 31 July, 2024 due to an unforeseen situation, UTAG UCC Executive remained quiet. They were and have been mute on the huge budget overruns incurred under the current Vice-Chancellor without approval by the University Governing Council”.
“This has reportedly contributed to major financial challenges in the University, negatively impacting the smooth running. of the University’s academic programs. They were and have also been mute on the blatant breach of University Statutes as regards the appointment of some Provosts and Directors and the unfair treatment of their own members in relation to promotions”.
UTAG UCC Concerned Members
The group further stated that the UTAG UCC leadership’s inaction on members’ concerns while supporting external interests reflects double standards.
The group condemned any efforts by the UTAG UCC leadership to destabilize the University and urged law-abiding citizens and University members to uphold the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and the 2016 Statutes of the University.
The group also indicated that any threats of illegal strikes by the UTAG UCC Executive should not be tolerated, and legitimate efforts to appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor following the High Court injunction must be supported.
As such the Concerned Members stated that all court orders should be respected, and no parties should involve traditional leaders in these legal matters.
The group stated that it supports the ongoing court proceedings, including the injunction against the Vice-Chancellor, and encourage respect for their outcomes.
The group further maintained that any contemptuous behavior by the UTAG UCC leadership regarding court decisions should be denounced and addressed legally.
Accordingly, the group assured the University community that attempts to undermine Ghana’s laws and University policies will be resisted.
The group asserted that the press statement from the UTAG UCC President and Secretary, suggesting unanimous support from the membership, should be disregarded by all stakeholders.
