The court, presided over by His Lordship, Justice Kwamena Ato Mills-Graves, declared the elections as unconstitutional.

[contextly_sidebar id=”OYirH6aYCXMk4MZCga9VLomEpnGtld60″]The September elections organized by University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), excluded members of the Kumasi and Asante Mampong campuses, prompting the lawsuit at a High Court.

The elections were only held at the university’s two campuses at Ajumako and the main one at Winneba, excluding the two others in Kumasi and Asante Mampong.

The court in its ruling today [Wednesday], ordered the national UTAG, to organize and supervise fresh elections on all campuses of the University within 21 days.

Justice was served – Afenyo Markin

The lawyer for the lecturers who filed the lawsuit, who’s also the Efutu MP, Alexander Afenyo Markin, said he was optimistic of justice from the beginning, saying “Once justice has been given, we are forever grateful.”

“Like we indicated, the UEW has four campuses and it cannot be that only two campuses will be allowed to elect officers that represent the university, so we came to court well-fortified under the law, and we didn’t just come just to waste the time of the court.”

“All those who were supposedly elected have been restrained forthwith, and cannot hold themselves as executives because that election has been declared null and void,” Mr. Afenyo Markin added.

The UEW, who are respondents in the matter, have been restrained from recognizing the individuals who were elected as executives of the UEW chapter of UTAG.”

Threat over interdiction

The UEW may have another suit on its plate as its Winneba chapter of UTAG, has threatened to sue the University’s Governing Council, over its decision to interdict the Vice Chancellor and four other top officials.

The officials were asked to step aside after it was discovered that some files at some offices under investigation in the school, had gone missing.

–

By: Kwame Ackon Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to a copy of the application sighted by Citi News, the plaintiffs have filed the application because the then-President of UTAG-UEW Chapter, Dr. Samuel Ofori Bekoe, did not consult members before filing a court process in September in the name of the Association, hence their decision to challenge the actions of their President.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ZPDvCUkUN3sd8eIFZgb7JjPWBbDJhGlO”]The latest action relates to a writ filed in May 2017, where one Supi Kofi Kwayera, adduced that the university’s council’s mandate had expired in November 2013, but the Education Ministry failed to constitute a new governing council for the university.

The plaintiffs, in their lawsuit, said Dr. Samuel Ofori Bekoe’s decision came as “a surprise and a shock, since no meeting was ever convened on the Kumasi campus, Mampong campus or Wineba campus to take a decision to meddle in the court case.”

They also said Dr. Samuel Ofori Bekoe did not have the capacity to represent the UTAG UEW chapter “since no such consent and authority was given to him by the members to depose an affidavit in court.”

Aside from the other issues raised, the plaintiffs added that, Dr. Atuguba “was never engaged by members through any resolution.”

“In effect, no decision was ever taken by UTAG UEW chapter to appoint Dr. Raymond Atuguba as its lawyer,” the lawsuit added.

Background to UEW litigation

A Winneba High Court in July ordered the Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Professor Mawutor Avokeh, to step aside until a case brought against him and the University’s Governing Council is determined.

The order also affected the institution’s Finance Officer.

The order was made in a case brought before the court by Supi Kofi Kwayera who insisted that the Vice-Chancellor and the Finance Officer were operating under the institution’s defunct governing council.

The plaintiff held that the University’s Council’s mandate had expired in November 2013, but the Education Ministry failed to constitute a new Governing Council for the university, and rather allowed and permitted the defunct Governing Council which had no mandate whatsoever to continue the functions of a properly constituted Governing Council as if same had been properly constituted.

This, Mr. Kwayera insisted was unlawful, and hence his legal action against the University of Education, Winneba.

The order from the court was described as an attack on academic freedom, hence the agitation from some lecturers.

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By: Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The strike was in protest of the court ruling which directed the Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), to step aside temporarily.

[contextly_sidebar id=”4Bb54sXbR3EoJhcVJqb8xLBu8D9hTKSn”]It was solidarity with some members of UTAG-UEW, who had already laid down their tools since July 2017.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of UTAG, asked the UTAG-UEW to continue with the strike action embarked upon in July 2017, and directed all members in public Universities throughout the country to withdraw their teaching services beginning Monday, September 18.

But after a closed-door meeting with Vice Chancellors Ghana (VCG), the National President of UTAG, Dr. Harry Agbanu, said the suspension of the strike was to allow the VCG a two-week period to intervene in the matter.

Speaking to the media, Dr. Agbanu said, “they [VCG] have appealed to us to suspend the action as they take some steps to resolve the issue, so we have also agreed with them, that we will suspend our action and give them time to make efforts to resolve the problem.”

“… if there is no success in terms of the restoration of the issue, then we know the next step to take so when we come out fully. You people will understand that we have done all we could to be able to resolve this issue. So the position is that, we are going back to our classrooms from tomorrow [Tuesday], pending the outcome of the steps the VCG wants to take to resolve the issue.”

Response to ineffective strike

Citi News’ checks at some of Ghana’s major public universities showed that lectures had gone on as normal, despite the call for the strike.

Citi News can confirm that many UTAG members across the country are divided over the decision to strike, particularly because the matter they are striking over is a subject that is being tackled in the court of law.

But Dr. Agbanu said today [Monday], was the first day of the strike, and “obviously, some members probably did not even hear the fact that we were going on strike.”

“Normally, strikes begin this way and gather momentum. So today being the first day, it is expected that those who didn’t know would go to the classroom,” he added.

Background to UEW litigation

A Winneba High Court in July ordered the Vice Chancellor of UEW, Professor Mawutor Avokeh, to step aside until a case brought against him and the University’s Governing Council is determined.

The order also affected the institution’s Finance Officer.

The order was made in a case brought before the court by Supi Kofi Kwayera who insisted that the Vice Chancellor and the Finance Officer were operating under the institution’s defunct governing council.

The plaintiff held that the University’s Council’s mandate had expired in November 2013, but the Education Ministry failed to constitute a new Governing Council for the university, and rather allowed and permitted the defunct Governing Council which had no mandate whatsoever to continue the functions of a properly constituted Governing Council as if same had been properly constituted.

This, Mr. Kwayera insisted was unlawful, and hence his legal action against the University of Education, Winneba.

The order from the court was described as an attack on academic freedom, hence its agitation.

–

By: Caleb Kudah/Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post UTAG suspends ‘ineffective’ strike over UEW saga appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Professor Emmanuel N. Abakah, UEW Governing Council Chairman made this known at a conferment ceremony organised for its students in the southern sector at Winneba.

He said all staff promotions, which required ratification and convocations elections has been done.

He lamented that, speculations all that, newly appointed staff if the university will lose their jobs were absolutely malicious and trumped-up story and the general public should ignore such speculation as such.

According to Professor Abakah, the Council has resolved to promote and ensure productive working environment in the area of appointment, promotions, and awards system devoid of personal interest and sentiments.

He said the members shall maintain healthy and competitive academic environment to promote scholarship in all the campuses, and cure mischief and irregularities in the system for smooth, peaceful and harmonious co-existence in the University.

The Chairman congratulated the graduands for their achievements that would hold them to a very high esteem with high expectations.

He urged them to always to put God first in all their endeavours since the world kept on changing with challenges.
Prof Abakah asked them to forge ahead and make meaningful impact wherever they may find themselves.

–
Source: GNA

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The council, chaired by Prof. Emmanuel Nicholas Abakah, is expected to champion, among others, the implementation of the core objectives of the university, promote income-generating activities, establish committees or boards considered necessary and assign any responsibilities that it might consider necessary.

Members of governing council

The members of the council are the Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Prof. Mawutor Avoke; Dr Efua Esaaba Agyire-Tettey, Mr John Darko and Neenyi Ghartey VII, all government nominees.

Others are Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi representing the Ghana Education Service (GES); the Director-General of the GES, Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa; Mr Christian Addai-Poku from the Professional Teacher Organisation, Prof. Mohammed Salifu from the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), Mr Bruno Bajuaose Chirani, Dr Samuel Ofori Obuobisah Bekoe, Prof. Yaw Serekye Annor and Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, all Convocations.

The rest are Ms Theresa Ackon representing the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), Mr Emmanuel Osei Sarpong representing the alumni, Mr Stephen Osei Akyiaw representing the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) and Mr Patrick Agyei representing the Students’ Representative Council (SRC).

Research fund

Prof. Yankah announced that the government was committed to establishing a research fund for the sole purpose of funding relevant and sector-specific research work in institutions of higher learning.

“This is in addition to the book and research allowance,” he said, explaining that the move was part of efforts by the government to deal with the problem of funding higher education in the country.

Prof. Yankah noted that adequate funding of higher education had been one of the challenges for successive governments, especially at the graduate level.

He announced that a draft bill for the establishment of the research fund was near completion and consultations for stakeholder inputs into the bill were currently underway.

“We are hopeful that sooner than later, the fund will be established to offer an appropriate funding regime for research in our institutions of higher learning.

“We place huge emphasis on the continuous linkage of academia with industry and the world of work to ensure curriculum relevance, thereby reducing graduate unemployment,” Prof. Yankah said.

Response

Prof. Abakah expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in them as members of the council, describing their appointment as “a call to duty”.

He pledged that the council would work hard in collaboration with all stakeholders to push the developmental agenda of the university.

Prof. Abakah acknowledged that the council was inaugurated at a time the university was in a “monumental crisis” and charged the council to immediately find ways for an amicable solution.

He immediately convened an emergency meeting scheduled for today to address the current crisis.

–

Source: Graphic.com.gh

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The court order also affects the school’s Finance Officer.

The orders were part of the reliefs granted for the interlocutory injunction sought by the plaintiff, Supi Kofi Kwayera, in the case brought against the University which insisted that the Vice Chancellor and the Finance Officer were operating under the institution’s defunct governing council.

[contextly_sidebar id=”seuAO45wu1YYpO1hzpcCyyJLmqcQkATH”]The Court also issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Ministry of Education to reconstitute the governing council of the University of Education, Winneba.

The Court presided over by His Lordship George Ato Mills-Graves awarded an amount of GHC4,000 against the university.

The Court thus ordered the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University, Rev Fr Afful-Broni, to act in the position of the VC, to allow the day-to-day administration of the institution to continue.

Lawyer for the plaintiff, Hon. Alexander Afenyo Markins, speaking to journalists after the hearing said the ruling will serve as a legal precedent for successive governments so they don’t delay the formation of governing boards for institutions.

“In future, governments would not unduly abdicate their responsibility in terms of what they are supposed to ensure it is done. Governing council for every public institution is key. I am happy that today, UTAG has found it feet to call on government to reconstitute governing councils with the view if this is not done, it will affect academic work. I agree with UTAG it’s all good for our rule of law, it is for us to develop our laws and it is nothing personal,” he added.

Background

In a 23rd May 2017 writ issued, the plaintiff [Supi Kwayera] adduced that the university’s council’s mandate had expired in November 2013, but the Education Ministry failed to constitute a new Governing Council for the university, and rather allowed and permitted the defunct Governing Council which had no mandate whatsoever to continue the functions of a properly constituted Governing Council as if same had been properly constituted.

This Mr. Kwayera insisted was unlawful, and hence his legal action against the University of Education, Winneba.

However, before the substantive claims were looked into, the University, through its counsel, applied to the court to dismiss the suit on the three counts, but the application was dismissed.

The University’s branch of the University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (UTAG) as a respondent subsequently applied to join the application.

In June this year, the plaintiff prayed the to effect an interlocutory injunction restraining the 1st Respondent, its assigns, agents, officers and all other persons acting through the 1st Respondent or claiming to be the lawful representatives of the 1st Respondent from authorizing any payment to any contractor or supplier whose contract is the subject matter of the substantive application before the court.

Again,the injunction was to restrain the 2nd Respondent from recognizing any supposed Principal Officer or any person whose mandate as an officer of the 1st Respondent emanated from the defunct Governing Council as the lawful representative(s) of the 1st Respondent until the final determination of the substantive application.

The injunction also sought to restrain the 1st Respondent and its lawful representatives from making any payment to Ghana Highway Authority or any third party entity including Larmas Construction (GH) Ltd in respect of a Memorandum of Understanding with Ghana Highway Authority for road maintenance until the final determination of the substantive application.

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By: Jospeh Ackon-Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Defence Counsel for the school, Peter Zwennes is praying the court to dismiss the application filed by Supi Kofi Kwayera of Winneba against the Governing Council of the University for overstaying their tenure.

[contextly_sidebar id=”h1uNvBhwsgl8l4GuB0cDYofvrqVeEqGE”]Mr. Zwennes and Mr. Fredrick Sampson Gurah who represented the University of Education prayed the court to dismiss the motion since the plaintiff had no capacity to meddle in the school’s affairs.

Mr. Zwennes also filed a motion on behalf of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Winneba branch of the University to join the suit.

The Defence Counsel challenged the jurisdiction of High Court to hear the case bordering on the fundamental human right of the 1992 Constitution.

Supi Kwayera had filed a suit under Act 23, 41(1) and 296 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana praying the court to place an injunction on University Governing Council from executing their duties.

He is also praying the court to enforce Section 8 of ACT 678, section 38 and 39 of ACT 663.

Background

A private citizen, Supi Kofi Kwayera, in May sued the University of Education and the Education Ministry for what he said was the unlawful extension of the school’s Governing Council’s tenure.

He also accused the Governing Council of misappropriating the funds of the University after the expiration of two tenures in 2013 in his writ.

The suit came months after the Member of Parliament for Effutu, Afenyo Markin, called for the immediate withdrawal of thousands of certificates issued by the University of Education, Winneba, since 2013.

–

Source: GNA

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Professor Mawutor Avoke, Vice Chancellor of the University, made this known at the 21st Congregation of the university.

[contextly_sidebar id=”MCYVLWfNZ7524sKdZFxfb12nKmSymqAU”]New programmes such as M. Phil (Early Childhood Education) are running and heavily subscribed and the university intended to introduce courses such as Masters in Agriculture Education, Masters in Environment and Occupational Health, Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources, B’Sc in Agric Business Management and Entrepreneurship, B’Sc in Chemistry Education and B’Sc in Information and Communication and Technology (ICT).

Prof. Avoke said the university had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University Collage Capital (UCC) in Denmark where exchange programmes would be done between the two universities.

He said the MOU expanded the existing agreement between the two institutions to accommodate inbound and outbound mobility of students and faculty.

Prof. Avoke said some students from the College of Technology Education in Kumasi were in Swedru on the UEW and Hamistad University exchange programme.

He said the University of Education was expected to receive three students from Hamistad University next year as part of the MOU exchange programme.

A total of 8,578 students were awarded degrees, diplomas and certificates.

The event saw the graduation of 8,578 students at various levels: 927 Postgraduate students, 4,789 Bachelor of Education students; 2,779 Diploma and 83 certificate students.
–

Source: GNA

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In a statement, the American sportswear company said “the terms that were on offer for a renewed contract did not represent good value for Nike’s shareholders”.

It is thought that either Germany’s Adidas or Warrior will replace them.

Manchester United did not qualify for this season’s Champions League for the first time in 19 years.

The club suffered its worst ever Premier League finish last season after manager Sir Alex Ferguson left following 26 years in the job.

His successor, David Moyes, lasted just 10 months and Dutch manager Louis van Gaal takes over following the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign.

Nike first signed the deal with the club in 2002 and on Monday unveiled a new kit for the 2014-15 season. It will be the last one bearing the Nike logo.

Nike said: “Manchester United is a great club with passionate fans.

No Champions League football will cost £50m- 10% of annual revenue – Deloitte

“Any partnership with a club or federation has to be mutually beneficial and the terms that were on offer for a renewed contract did not represent good value for Nike’s shareholders.

“We look forward to a successful final season with the club.”

United’s existing deal with United States firm Nike is worth £24m a year. As part of that agreement they were given a period of exclusivity to negotiate an extension and also retained the right to match any other offer.

But the company has decided against exercising either option.

A figure of £600m over 10 years has been discussed with the remaining bidders, which would dwarf the reported £31m a season Adidas pays to Real Madrid.

They have signed a number of sponsorship deals, including an agreement to rename their Carrington training ground.

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Source: BBC Sport

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