No political interference in UEW – Deputy Info Minister

A Deputy Minister of Information, Pius Enam Hadzide, has dismissed claims that the impasse at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has been complicated by the interference of politicians and government.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram Constituency Samuel Nartey George on TV3’s New Day Monday fingered the seat of government for meddling in the affairs of the university.

He observed the issues in the school which have culminated in its shutting down were politically motivated.

“You saw the way Avoke and co were kicked out, you saw the hand of political players and government in the removal of Avoke and a number of senior staff of the university,” he said, while advising “the state should stay away from the University of Education, Winneba, the politicians should get their hands off these institutions”.

Sam George again alleged the Vice Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni, got legitimacy from the President to do what has recently been described as “massive dismissals” because the President attended his investiture though there were issues.

But the Deputy Information Minister thinks such commentary is disappointing, especially when “there is no shred of evidence to back same”.

“I do not see the introduction of this political interference that it is being suggested that the President was invited as a guest to the investiture means that the President installed the Vice Chancellor,” he said.

He, however, admits some individuals may have involved themselves too much in matters of the school, maintaining such cannot be interpreted as “state interference”.

He said it an “uninformed position” for anyone to think that the President gave legitimacy to the Vice Chancellor, noting that, whether or not the President attended the investiture, Rev. Prof. Afful-Broni would have still been Vice Chancellor after the ceremony.

According to him, the involvement of the Member of Parliament of the area, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, should not be misconstrued as a state interference, arguing the MP is a stakeholder in the university.

“I do not see any [political interference] at all,” he emphasized.