Mr. Yankah’s comments come weeks after the Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, indicated that the school  might soon be privatized if it fails to meet its obligations in a $64 million agreement it entered into with a private company, Africa Integras.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7uM21xNOjnmWeLDUxWwcc8BUFCO5DYpk”]“University of Ghana might be put up for sale because it entered into an agreement and the school is unable to abide by the terms and conditions of the contract. Under this contract, Legon is expected to pay 10 million dollars every year for 25 years. If Legon is unable to settle this loan, its assets will be seized,” the Minister had stated.

But speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Professor Yankah said government will ensure the school remains a valuable state asset.

“It is our prime university, the number one university in the country – probably the number one in West Africa…Fortunately, there appears to be a resolution in the offing. Parties are talking as we speak now and there appears to a resolution in one form or the other. We will do anything possible to save the University. We will not just sit and allow the University to collapse.”

Prof. Aryeetey denies fraud claims in $64m UG deal

In 2017, this same agreement came up for discussion after the former Vice Chancellor of UG, Prof Aryeetey, was accused of failing to do due diligence when the deal was signed under his tenure.

He however rubbished these claims, explaining that UG had gone through all the right procedures before signing the agreement with the company.

Professor Aryeetey insisted the processes leading up to the signing of the agreement with Integras were transparent, with all relevant stakeholders being kept informed of all developments.

“There is no scandal at all in relation to the $64.4 million contract. Africa Integras signed an agreement that they were supposed to spend that money. As far as I know, by the time the project stopped, they had spent about $28 million. How does a phony company come and spend $28 million? You can see the buildings coming up and yet it has been written that I have signed an agreement with a phony company. We haven’t spent any money ourselves, it’s the ‘phony’ company that’s spending the money; how does a phony company put up buildings?,” Professor Aryeetey asked.

He also dismissed assertions that that he had received financial inducements to allow the project to proceed.

“I can assure the public that nothing untoward took place. The processes that were followed were very transparent. It’s being suggested that there was something corrupt, but there’s no such thing. I was never offered any money by any of the persons we dealt with. I have never asked for anything nor have I taken money from anybody in relation to this or any other project. Any suggestions of wrongdoing will be completely misplaced.”

The project was structured as a 25-year Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) contract.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The amount, which constitutes a major part of the funds earmarked in the 2017 budget, according to the Minister, forms part of the commitment to ensuring that research becomes the driving force of the development agenda of the government.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Q1brrPS44TzfgPZWPPKDTlDHqUHg2acS”]He appealed to lecturers not to disrupt academic activities in the various universities, but create a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning.

According to him, plans were also underway by government to establish a Research Fund to enable universities in the country effectively undertake special research projects and innovation.

Prof. Kwesi Yankah made this known while speaking to newly constituted heads of governing councils of the various public universities in the country.

Recently, the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) gave a two-week ultimatum to government to swiftly resolve concerns over the appointment of governing Councils of universities and also delay in the payment of the Book and Research Allowances.

UTAG, which gave the warning after a meeting with the Vice Chancellors of Ghana, expressed their discontent with the recent disputes surrounding the book and research allowances which they believed contributed to the undue delay in the disbursement of the funds.

They revealed that the government has had enough time to do all the necessary consultations and alignments necessary for the disbursement of the funds.

The association expressed worry that a month to the commencement of a new academic year, government hasn’t released the funds.

This, according to them, may have dire consequences for teaching and learning.

“UTAG is unhappy with the undue delay in the processes leading to the payment of the allowances. Having in mind that the Hon. Minister of Education announced as far back as February 2017 that it is incomprehensible and for that matter unacceptable that payment has not been effected to date. It is instructive to note that the 2017/2018 academic year begins in August and the demand for the Book and Research allowance beckons,” Dr. Harry Agbanu, National President of UTAG said while addressing the media after the meeting with the Vice Chancellors of Ghana.

As a result, the association issued a two-week ultimatum to government to address their concerns or face the consequences.

However, before the expiration of the ultimatum, government gave directive for the funds to be disbursed.

The National President of UTAG, who spoke to an Accra-based media outlet on Saturday, was of the view that the directive for the release of the funds would help improve the standard of education in the country.

“It’s good news to us that indeed government had released the first part of the amount they pay to our members as their book and research allowances…but we are happy that he (government) has started releasing funds for the book and research allowances,” he stated.

He expressed optimism that government would fulfill its promises to Ghanaians soon.

“Although the process for the funds to get to the coffers of the lectures might be cumbersome, it would be done within a shortest possible time, he opined.

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Source: Daily Guide

The post Govt pays GH¢45m for lecturers’ book & research allowance appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.