Motivate UG administrative staff- Prof. Atsu Ayee

Accra, Sept. 5, GNA - Prof Atsu Ayee, former Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies, University of Ghana (UG), on Friday cautioned that, if the condition of service of the administrative staff of the University was not improved, it would be difficult to get the right people to do the job.

"Many are reluctant to take administrative positions as a result of the lack of motivation," he said.

Prof Ayee made these remarks in Accra during a send-off party, organised for him in appreciation of the service he rendered during his seven year term as Dean of Social Studies.

The ceremony was attended by the Vice-Chancellor of UG, Prof. Clifford Tagoe, the Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kwesi Yanka, the Head of the Political Science Department, Prof. Kwame Boafo-Arthur and other heads of departments and the students.

"My greatest worry is that I am leaving office without elevating the social Studies Faculty into a college status," Prof. Ayee said, adding that, it was an administrative in-balance for the faculty to remain as it is.

He said the faculty had a lot of administrative limitations, where decisions become rather slow because of bureaucracy. He called on the heads of departments and directors to show dedication, urgency and be meticulous in their assignments, in order to achieve results.

Prof Ayee said the practice where two or more lecturers shared one office could not support good academic work, and urged that more offices be built to facilitate their work. "We must create conducive environment for academic work to take place," he said, adding that, if that is done, lecturers could write articles and other journals, which are important for knowledge development.

Prof. Clifford Tagoe, Vice Chancellor of UG, thanked Prof. Aryee for his selflessness and dedication to work, saying "he is a man after my heart."

He said the former Dean was an embodiment of all that one could expect from a dean.

Prof. Kwame Boafo Authur, Head of the Political Science Department said Prof. Ayee "was a man of many parts who demonstrated rare qualities as far as hard-work and dedication was concerned", describing him as "a veritable glutton for work."

A citation dedicated to Prof Ayee said, "he would be remembered for his objectivity, unparallel managerial leadership that he brought to bear on the deanship. "Your impressive scholarship and publication record continued during your tenure of office and this serves as a source of inspiration to many faculty members," it said. Prof. Ayee, who is succeeded by Prof. Samuel Agyei-Mensah, would soon leave for South Africa, as a visiting lecturer, at the Kwazulu Natal University. 5 Sept. 09