...as former students demand removal of VC
By Charles Takyi-Boadu
Posted: Friday, July 18, 2008
Some former students of the University of Ghana, Legon, led by the former President of the Junior Common Room (JCR) of the Commonwealth Hall, Benjamin Akyena Brantuo has called for the removal of the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, on multiple allegations of incompetence.
They alleged among other things that the University of Ghana is currently not only bedevilled with deep-seated corruption but also bedevilled with financial mal-administration that does not only sin against the public good, but stifles academic work.
Speaking at a Press Conference in Accra yesterday, Akyena Brantuo, who was last Friday, July 11, discharged by an Accra Circuit for want of prosecution on allegations of death threats, alleged that University was being ran in a manner he described as dictatorial and reckless, equating how Prof. Tagoe was running the University to mere Boy’s Brigade.
This, he said, was evident in a report commissioned by a Visitation Panel on the finances of the University, which according to him “is at best a disgrace to anybody who has anything to do with the Institution.”
Flanked by Messrs Ebenezer Hutornu and Akuban Amponsah Mensah, all products of the University, Akyena Brantuo quoted portions of the said Report of the Panel which was chaired by Sir Charles Daniels, to support his claims.
Part of the Report noted, “The investigation uncovered little positive to be said about the finance administrative system of the University. The team’s (visitation Panel) view is that the financial administrative system at the University of Ghana is in a very bad state and is not providing anything approaching the services needed by the University, which needs radical change.
Again, the financial administration of the University is a serious hindrance to the work of many of the Departments, Faculties and other units of the University, damaging its teaching, research and the students’ experience, through inappropriate procedures and controls. It is widely seen as secretive, unhelpful and damaging to the University”.
Despite the outward beautification of the Legon campus, he emphasised that conditions within Residential Halls threaten life. He noted that non-Residents as well as Residents pay Hall attachment fees which are increased annually, whilst Residential students pay residential fees as well as advances against anticipated damage to University property, in the sum of about GH¢30 per student.
Though students pay these monies religiously, he stressed that “they always get a raw deal and live in conditions that are not fit for human habitation.”
For these and other reasons, Akyena Brantuo said he was not the least surprised that part of the Panel Report read, “Some members of the committee visited Commonwealth Hall and found it to be in a very poor state .Student numbers were about four times the number that the Hall was designed to accommodate. Hygienic conditions were bad, indeed the toilets were locked up during our visit because of their horrible state and lack of water.
All the students in this overcrowded Hall have to use the surrounding bushes as their toilet. Every available space was utilised for sleeping. These conditions were impacting the students psychologically and some of them were vociferous in their protest.
Lighting in the Hall was inadequate and lights in the corridors were not working. The Dining facility had been converted to reading space. The Panel was told that the other Halls were in a similar shape. The Committee therefore recommended that “the Halls, particularly Commonwealth Hall, should be evacuated and rehabilitated”.
The report further noted, “students are not well represented on the governance of the University…they are not satisfied with the Constitutional role of the Dean of students, and wish to represent themselves in discussions with the University authorities...’ We recommend ‘that the university introduces students’ representation on the council, the academic board, the faculty boards and committees of these bodies as appropriate.”
To say the least, Brantuo noted that “academic content and infrastructure for academic work are the worse victims of these administrative lapses and incompetence of the Tagoe-led administration.”
He buttressed his claim in part of the visitation Panel’s Report which said, “The Panel found during its visits to the Departments and Faculties that there was inadequate classroom and laboratory space for the large number of students. Several Departments complained of decaying lecture halls and teaching facilities and particularly of overcrowding. Faculty members wanted urgent steps to be taken to rehabilitate their facilities...lack of facilities for effective teaching, especially audio-visual aids and public address systems.”
The introduction of the much talked-about ‘in-out-out-out’ Residential policy by the Tagoe-led administration as the panacea to the challenges posed by inadequate accommodation, according to Benjamin Akyena Brantuo, was one which surprised all progressive thinkers, because of the short sightedness of the proposal and the exposure of administrative incompetence in dealing with the challenges of inadequate accommodation and other related issues pose to education. He emphasised that “the level of public support and the massive crowd that demonstrated against the policy amidst police brutalities, clearly indicates what should be expected in the coming days.”
Though the thousands of students who marched to the Vice-Chancellors office and the Castle cross roads, really shook the foundations of the Country, he however, noted that it was the threat to boycott the Semester’s exams that got the University to wake up to the real challenges. That notwithstanding, the former JCR President of Commonwealth Hall said the massive public outcry and rejection of the ‘in-out-out-out’ Residential policy waned and focus on the debate for appropriate accommodation got shifted when Prof Tagoe told the press that he and his Lecturers have been threatened with death.
In what he described as Prof Tagoe’s quest to gag students and impose his will on everybody, Akyena Brantuo noted that “he had prohibited all forms of student gatherings except those of them for which he approves of the agenda. As if that was not enough, his introduction of ‘in-out-out-out’ Residential policy has reduced the campus to only freshmen and women, who know too little to question the system, and a few final year students who are very busy with their academic projects and perhaps are too scared to be in the bad books of the Vice-Chancellor.”
“Students live in fear on the University of Ghana campus and student leaders dare not talk, or they risk their positions in the University. My predicament serves as a great lesson to them”, he stressed.
He thus noted that his subsequent planned arrest and detention effectively alleviated the anxieties and worries of Prof. Tagoe, resulting from student’s protestations against his policies, stressing that “my arrest was also a form of vengeance for being his long standing critic and was done in order to greatly embarrass me and deny me the opportunity to complete my University education.”
Meanwhile, strenous efforts to get Prof. Nii Boi Tagoe’s input into the story proved futile as his ‘Onetouch’ mobile network was said to have been switched off.
There was also no answer to similar calls put to the University’s land lines for possible comments from the Director of Public Affairs.
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Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
NDC HAS NO CHANCE IN DECEMBER ELECTIONS
By Charles Takyi-Boadu
Posted:Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Director of Campaign for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku has called the bluff of the largest opposition party in the country, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) which claimed it would win the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
To him, the NDC’s claim is a mere political rhetoric because the party stands no chance in the upcoming elections, let alone steering the affairs of Ghana.
This, he said, was evident in the massive turnout at the party’s rally at Kasoa over the weekend.
For him, the numbers that poured onto the rally grounds gave nothing but a firm indication of the belief reposed in NPP and its Flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Dr. Apraku, who happens to be the incumbent Member of Parliament for the Offinso North constituency made these comments in an interview with sections of the press, shortly after the Kasoa rally, at which Nana Addo and several other NPP Parliamentary Candidates were outdoored.
In his opinion, there was no alternative government to the NPP.
He considered the NDC as a big threat to the increasing fortunes of the country's economy, hence Ghanaians will rather desire to retain the NPP in power. “That is why Kasoa was crowded,” he added
According to him, NDC mismanaged the economy when it was in power, a situation that compelled the NPP government to join the Highly Indebted and Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) in 2001, when it assumed the reigns of government.
Since assuming power in 2001, Dr. Apraku said the NPP had demonstrated beyond all doubts that it is the best manager of the country's economy.
“When we talk about the ability to manage the economy of this country, NDC has no chance", he said.
With the current hikes in crude oil and food prices on the global market, Dr. Apraku emphasised that NDC could not have managed the situation and that this would have forced most Ghanaians to starve on the streets.
For him, part of the reasons why many Ghanaians trooped to Kasoa to join the rally was out of their belief for democracy and a government that would allow them to speak their minds,
For this reason, Dr. Apraku reaffirmed his party’s commitment to deliver prosperity in freedom and create a united and respectable society for all.
“Ghana has gained international respect under the NPP government and Nana Akufo-Addo is the man to continue that good work initiated by President Kufuor”, he said.
He enumerated some of the achievements of the of the NPP government which include the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), a programme which he said over 9 million Ghanaians were now benefiting from, the Capitation Grant, the Metro bus system, among a wide range of others.
Considering the fact that education is key to the development of any country, Dr. Apraku said this was what led to the introduction of the Capitation Grant and School Feeding Programmes, which were aimed at enrolling more children of school-going age.
He, however, admonished members and supporters of the party to do their homework well so that the party could diffuse the threats being posed by the NDC.
Posted:Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Director of Campaign for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku has called the bluff of the largest opposition party in the country, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) which claimed it would win the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
To him, the NDC’s claim is a mere political rhetoric because the party stands no chance in the upcoming elections, let alone steering the affairs of Ghana.
This, he said, was evident in the massive turnout at the party’s rally at Kasoa over the weekend.
For him, the numbers that poured onto the rally grounds gave nothing but a firm indication of the belief reposed in NPP and its Flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Dr. Apraku, who happens to be the incumbent Member of Parliament for the Offinso North constituency made these comments in an interview with sections of the press, shortly after the Kasoa rally, at which Nana Addo and several other NPP Parliamentary Candidates were outdoored.
In his opinion, there was no alternative government to the NPP.
He considered the NDC as a big threat to the increasing fortunes of the country's economy, hence Ghanaians will rather desire to retain the NPP in power. “That is why Kasoa was crowded,” he added
According to him, NDC mismanaged the economy when it was in power, a situation that compelled the NPP government to join the Highly Indebted and Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) in 2001, when it assumed the reigns of government.
Since assuming power in 2001, Dr. Apraku said the NPP had demonstrated beyond all doubts that it is the best manager of the country's economy.
“When we talk about the ability to manage the economy of this country, NDC has no chance", he said.
With the current hikes in crude oil and food prices on the global market, Dr. Apraku emphasised that NDC could not have managed the situation and that this would have forced most Ghanaians to starve on the streets.
For him, part of the reasons why many Ghanaians trooped to Kasoa to join the rally was out of their belief for democracy and a government that would allow them to speak their minds,
For this reason, Dr. Apraku reaffirmed his party’s commitment to deliver prosperity in freedom and create a united and respectable society for all.
“Ghana has gained international respect under the NPP government and Nana Akufo-Addo is the man to continue that good work initiated by President Kufuor”, he said.
He enumerated some of the achievements of the of the NPP government which include the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), a programme which he said over 9 million Ghanaians were now benefiting from, the Capitation Grant, the Metro bus system, among a wide range of others.
Considering the fact that education is key to the development of any country, Dr. Apraku said this was what led to the introduction of the Capitation Grant and School Feeding Programmes, which were aimed at enrolling more children of school-going age.
He, however, admonished members and supporters of the party to do their homework well so that the party could diffuse the threats being posed by the NDC.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Africa’s human tragedy reaches cresendo
… Says Togolese Ambassador
… As gov’ts prove incapable of solving poverty equation
By Charles Takyi-Boadu
Posted:Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, who is also the Togolese Ambassador to Ghana, Jean-Pierre Gbikpi-Benissan, has made one of the most astounding statements in recent years.
He strongly holds the conviction that the African human tragedy, which appears to be characterised by poverty and misery, has reached a crucial juncture.
This, according to him, was evident in the fact that individual governments have simply proven incapable of solving the poverty equation on the continent.
He has thus stressed the urgent need, for collaboration between people from all social strata, to fight poverty and misery in all forms in Africa.
Mr. Gbikpi-Benissan made these comments, at a press soiree organised by the International Action Service (IAS), a Pan-African Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), committed to fighting economic and social misery among the youth, promote tourism and the development of rural areas.
“Recognising that the African youth have been the worst victims of this tragedy, and that they stand in danger of unprecedented pessimism, we do hereby resolve to invite the media, to develop a strategy for collaboration with the IAS, in order to save Africa from this cataclysm,” he emphasised.
Indeed, he said the entire diplomatic corps was struck by the desire of the IAS, to restore confidence in the youth for the future, and helping them to succeed in life, in order for them to contribute to the development of the human race, with particular reference to the people on the African continent.
According to him, the African Diplomatic Corps was further moved to throw their weight behind the activities of the IAS, upon realising that it had the tendency of bringing the youth together, with their counterparts in other continents, in a combined effort to improve human conditions generally.
He identified these as the basic elements associated with any reliable, honest and efficient NGO.
For this reason, the Dean proclaimed the IAS as a Pan-African humanitarian organisation for development.
Meanwhile, the organisation has engaged in an initiative, to construct a youth training and job creation centre, with special focus on the rehabilitation and provision of shelter to underaged head porters, popularly referred to as ‘Kayayei’.
The five-year project, which started in the year 2006, is scheduled for completion somewhere in the year 2010.
The youth training job creation centre, to be built in Accra, inclusive of dormitories, at an estimated cost of US$18 million, will be accompanied by extensive training programmes for unemployed youth, in employable skills.
It is also expected to open workshops, and counselling centres in the three northern regions, to stem the exodus of rural-urban drift.
The project has emanated out of series of studies, sponsored by the IAS, which revealed the deplorable conditions in which these teenage, and under-age girl-porters ‘Kayayei’, unemployed and streetchildren live in.
The study revealed that most of these people, who are largely concentrated in Accra and Kumasi, live under very deplorable conditions.
The entire project, which has three components, principally deals with the ‘Kayayoo’ (the female porter) phenomena.
Phase One seeks to provide training, shelter and jobs for the ‘Kayayei’, with Phase Two geared towards constructing youth training centres, where destitute and unemployed youth, will be taken through training in relevant technical and vocational skills, whilst the Third Phase involves intervention procedures in the three northern regions, to halt the obviously high incidence of rural-urban drift.
Already, studies have been conducted to identify the material, and emotional needs of the ‘Kayayei’, unemployed persons and streetchildren, to provide an appropriate response to those needs, whilst counsellors have been consulted to assist in orienting them.
Meanwhile, a 50-acre land has been acquired for the construction of the youth training and job creation centre in Accra, with accents spent in all regional capitals, to facilitate the mobilisation of funds.
The IAS, which has its headquarters in Accra-Ghan,a was founded in the year 2001, by Professor Anthony Ewoc, who doubles as its Executive President, with nationals from seven African countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Libya, Cote d’ Ivoire and South Africa.
Among its core aims, it also seeks to undertake rescue activities, for victims of natural and social tragedies, and the recognition and rewarding of deserving leaders, individuals, corporate bodies and countries, who play exemplary roles as models for the youth.
… As gov’ts prove incapable of solving poverty equation
By Charles Takyi-Boadu
Posted:Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, who is also the Togolese Ambassador to Ghana, Jean-Pierre Gbikpi-Benissan, has made one of the most astounding statements in recent years.
He strongly holds the conviction that the African human tragedy, which appears to be characterised by poverty and misery, has reached a crucial juncture.
This, according to him, was evident in the fact that individual governments have simply proven incapable of solving the poverty equation on the continent.
He has thus stressed the urgent need, for collaboration between people from all social strata, to fight poverty and misery in all forms in Africa.
Mr. Gbikpi-Benissan made these comments, at a press soiree organised by the International Action Service (IAS), a Pan-African Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), committed to fighting economic and social misery among the youth, promote tourism and the development of rural areas.
“Recognising that the African youth have been the worst victims of this tragedy, and that they stand in danger of unprecedented pessimism, we do hereby resolve to invite the media, to develop a strategy for collaboration with the IAS, in order to save Africa from this cataclysm,” he emphasised.
Indeed, he said the entire diplomatic corps was struck by the desire of the IAS, to restore confidence in the youth for the future, and helping them to succeed in life, in order for them to contribute to the development of the human race, with particular reference to the people on the African continent.
According to him, the African Diplomatic Corps was further moved to throw their weight behind the activities of the IAS, upon realising that it had the tendency of bringing the youth together, with their counterparts in other continents, in a combined effort to improve human conditions generally.
He identified these as the basic elements associated with any reliable, honest and efficient NGO.
For this reason, the Dean proclaimed the IAS as a Pan-African humanitarian organisation for development.
Meanwhile, the organisation has engaged in an initiative, to construct a youth training and job creation centre, with special focus on the rehabilitation and provision of shelter to underaged head porters, popularly referred to as ‘Kayayei’.
The five-year project, which started in the year 2006, is scheduled for completion somewhere in the year 2010.
The youth training job creation centre, to be built in Accra, inclusive of dormitories, at an estimated cost of US$18 million, will be accompanied by extensive training programmes for unemployed youth, in employable skills.
It is also expected to open workshops, and counselling centres in the three northern regions, to stem the exodus of rural-urban drift.
The project has emanated out of series of studies, sponsored by the IAS, which revealed the deplorable conditions in which these teenage, and under-age girl-porters ‘Kayayei’, unemployed and streetchildren live in.
The study revealed that most of these people, who are largely concentrated in Accra and Kumasi, live under very deplorable conditions.
The entire project, which has three components, principally deals with the ‘Kayayoo’ (the female porter) phenomena.
Phase One seeks to provide training, shelter and jobs for the ‘Kayayei’, with Phase Two geared towards constructing youth training centres, where destitute and unemployed youth, will be taken through training in relevant technical and vocational skills, whilst the Third Phase involves intervention procedures in the three northern regions, to halt the obviously high incidence of rural-urban drift.
Already, studies have been conducted to identify the material, and emotional needs of the ‘Kayayei’, unemployed persons and streetchildren, to provide an appropriate response to those needs, whilst counsellors have been consulted to assist in orienting them.
Meanwhile, a 50-acre land has been acquired for the construction of the youth training and job creation centre in Accra, with accents spent in all regional capitals, to facilitate the mobilisation of funds.
The IAS, which has its headquarters in Accra-Ghan,a was founded in the year 2001, by Professor Anthony Ewoc, who doubles as its Executive President, with nationals from seven African countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Libya, Cote d’ Ivoire and South Africa.
Among its core aims, it also seeks to undertake rescue activities, for victims of natural and social tragedies, and the recognition and rewarding of deserving leaders, individuals, corporate bodies and countries, who play exemplary roles as models for the youth.
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