The government has dissolved the Governing Council of the University of Science and Technology (KNUST). This action was taken following events that led to a violent demonstration by the students of the university.
In its place, it has inaugurated a seven-member interim council to run the affairs of the university for the next three months.
The government has also directed that the university should be reopened within 14 days to enable academic work to continue.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Education in Accra yesterday, the Interim Council is chaired by Nana Effah Apenteng, the Paramount Chief of the Bompata Traditional Area.
Other members are Prof. Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson, Dr Edward Baffoe-Bonnie, Ms Hilda Haggar Ampadu, Prof. Joshua Ayarkwa, Mrs Abena Antwi and Mr Kelvin Sah.
Terms of reference
The terms of reference of the Interim Council are: to assume the powers of the Governing Council, establish the causes of the recent riots on campus, establish the full extent and cost of damage caused and resolve the differences between the university management and the student body.
The KNUST was closed down indefinitely last Monday following a violent demonstration by the students on the campus.
The Interim Council will oversee the day-to-day running of the university and investigate all outstanding matters in order to expedite the reopening of the university.
The statement said the action was taken by the government as a result of briefs and recommendations made by the Minister of Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, after leading a delegation to meet with stakeholders of KNUST and the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) on the crisis in the university last Tuesday.
VC’s fate
The fate of the vice-chancellor, as to whether or not he would have to continue with his work, would be determined by the Interim Council, the statement said.
The students of KNUST have been agitating for the removal of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kwasi Obiri-Danso, saying that he was imposing autocratic decisions on them.
The statement issued by the Ministry of Education was silent on the fate of the VC, neither was he added to the Interim Council
Clarifying issues, a Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, said the Interim Council would determine whether or not to work with Prof. Obiri-Danso.
Credit: Graphic Online
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