NPP Member of Parliament for the Effutu Constituency, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has mounted a strong defense for the role he played in seeking for the removal of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Professor Mawutor Avoke.
According to Mr. Afenyo-Markin, he has no regrets whatsoever over his conduct adding that everything he did was in the interest of the University.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin disclosed that he decided to look into the UEW issues as far back as 2013, as a result of some “disturbing governance issues”
The Member of Parliament however denied that he instigated the removal of the UEW Professor because of his personal interests, citing calls by students, lecturers and other members of the University community, calling on him as a Member of Parliament to help resolve their differences.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin accused Prof Avoke of entertaining ill-advice in managing the University and also accused the former Vice-Chancellor of deliberately avoiding resolution talks even when the then Government wanted to intervene.
Speaking in an interview on Citi TV’s program, Face to Face, the legislator said the former UEW Vice-Chancellor was removed as a result of his own negative actions and inaction, adding that he did not have anything personal against Professor Avoke.
“I took up UEW matters as far back as 2013, the governance issues there were disturbing and the same Professors were bringing this issue to my attention as their member of Parliament. I wrote several letters to the then Minister of education drawing her attention to some irregularities particularly on the appointment of the governing council and the subsequent appointment of the former VC.”
Prof Avoke himself, in my days as the Presiding member every opportunity was there for us to agree on the disturbing issues but he wouldn’t make himself available to the extent that when Government officials wanted to intervene, I don’t know who his advisors are, but he pulled back so it wasn’t an issue of anybody wanting to take him off his seat, perhaps he fell on his on sword. Personally I don’t have anything against him,” he said.
No regrets
When asked by the host of Face to Face, Godfred Akoto Boafo why he decided to go court in his capacity as a Member of Parliament, the Effutu MP replied and said taking such decisions is based on choices and discretion.
He explained that his actions amounted to an intervention and not an interference in the University’s statutes and processes.
He stated emphatically that he has no regrets of his action and also vowed to resist any individual whose actions contravenes that of the University.
“The number of petitions I received from students, somebody has been marked down. They [Students] were not even given a fair hearing. Do not confuse intervention with interference….
It depends on the gravity of the situation. Taking a particular decision is a matter of discretion and choice, if you live with a problem, you know how it affects you, therefore if you ask me, whether or not I have regrets regarding my intervention, I will say no. If you ask me whether I have issues with certain individuals, I will say no. If you ask whether I will act the way I did yesterday against any person in management and at the helms of affairs today in the interest of the community, I will say yes.”
Effutu Hero
Mr. Afenyo-Markin also said he is confident that posterity will judge him fairly adding that he believes he will be remembered by the people of Effutu as somebody who fought for their collective interest
“If you are a leader, it is for you to exercise discretion on matters of concern. If you decide not to take action, it will come back to hunt you.. Any day the people of Effutu will remember me as the one who fought for their interest at the University and to that extent, I have no regrets.”
Source: citi
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I support the call of the removal of the VC... What Markins did is in the interest of the university is only shallow minded people who will be against what Markins did.
It's rather unfortunate that the MP has opened his mouth to talk about the former VC, If i understood him well, he said there were some problems when he was the Presiding Member, now the question is was Prof Avoke the VC at that time? He also said, There were some issues in 2013, was the Prof. the VC at tat time, if there wee irregularities in how lecturers mark their is the VC to be blamed, Please, with all due respect stop making these pronouncements for it will further destroy your already muddied reputation and do not ever think that Winnebarians will remember you for anything because sharing money for people to vote for you does not make you a hero. Effutu citizens are not happy that you have destroyed thier Aboakyer festival and just recently their masquerading festival. It is an open secret that you are the one behind all the mayhems that are being visited on some of our citizens notably among them is Big Ebos, Kofi Annan as well as that suspended NPP guy who beaten mercilessly by your thugs. Is it not true that you are supporting that chief who has been and still staying in a rented apartment even though should have had a chiefs palace by now. You can buy votes sometimes but don't make a mistake, Winnebarians are awakening from their slumber wait till 2020.
Where do this guy Afenyo-Markin come from? original Effutu people never behalf like the way he behalf at times. Thank God that Effutu people are lovely people and don't play tribalism, else he would see his limit long time ago
This Afenyo-Markin guy will surely meet his meters one day one day, no matter how long it would take him especially the way he talks at times. He always think that he knows better than everyone in this country, Ghana. God is watching him unless he changed