Passage of Public Universities Bill unconstitutional, withdraw it - UTAG UG to govt

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) is urging for the withdrawal of the controversial decision by government for passage of the Public Universities Bill (PUB) into law.

According to the University of Ghana-Legon branch of the association, the Public Universities Bill is unconstitutional, unnecessary, and deeply harmful to the integrity of Ghana's public universities.

Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, September 16, Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo, Acting Dean of International Programmes at the University of Ghana said UTAG is not in approval of the obnoxious bill explaining that, the action will retrogress universities in the country.

"It poses a threat to the ability of students, lecturers, and administrators to carry out their day to day learning, teaching and research functions without fear of government dictates or reprisals," Prof. Adomako said.

Director of Programmes at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana, Dr Kojo Asante, on his part said the sponsors of the bill have not provided an honourable justification for it to be passed.

"Despite a proposal for the bill to be withdrawn, government has since not heeded to our proposal but we are calling for the bill to be withdrawn because it poses a threat to Ghana's growth in higher education and the autonomy of universities," he stressed.

Background:

The new Public Universities Bill signed by the Education Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, seeks to regulate the activities of public universities under one law.

The proposed law seeks to change the structure of the governing councils of the public universities with the majority of the members being appointed by the President.

According to the Education Ministry the Bill, "is to provide the procedure for the establishment of Public Universities, principles of management of public universities, the legal status of public universities, the procedure for financing Public universities and administration and supervision of the activities of Public universities and related matters."

Read a release by UTAG below