Gov’t Deliberately Stifling Amicable Resolution Of KNUST Imbroglio – Ablakwa

Former Deputy Minister for Education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has reiterated earlier assertions by some organisations and persons that government is to blame for current mishaps at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, accuses government of intentionally frustrating efforts by concern stakeholders in bringing matters to rest at KNUST which will lead to the reopening of the University to students.

“Government's conduct or shall we be more honest and call it misconduct in deliberately stifling an amicable resolution of the KNUST imbroglio only goes as far as to confirm that Government has indeed been the problem all along,” he indicated in a statement posted on his Facebook wall.

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, said failure to restore the old council of KNUST on the expected date which was November 2, 2018 clearly exposes government’s unwillingness to support stakeholders to find lasting solution to the dispute.

He said, “Per the road map agreed with key stakeholders after Government’s abortive coup, KNUST’s University Council ought to have been restored last Friday the 2nd of November, 2018. This would have given us concrete hope that by this week students could be returning to a re-opened campus. Further stalemate and more harm especially to KNUST’s international image would thus have been avoided.”

The legislator further questioned government’s intention to meddle in the selection of persons to represent UTAG, TEWU, SRC, GRASAG and other bodies on the University's Council.

While expressing shock at the inability of government to reinstate the old University Council, Mr. Ablakwa indicated that the dissolution was an “unlawful action”.

“If Government succeeds with this, what next? Would Government now decide who are elected as leaders/executive of these entities? Would Government begin to determine which lecturer and or member of staff gets promoted? Would Government henceforth control or place fetters on the kind of research permitted in our higher institutions of learning? Would Government then determine who gets admission into KNUST and other universities for that matter?” Mr. Ablakwa quizzed.