The workers, on Saturday, boycotted an induction ceremony for the Rector, whom they have accused of financial malfeasance, among other things.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Rn0Z0XfgLjUC314FRRFcNrKO0F98ejvr”]The agitated workers, comprising the Polytechnic Teachers Association, the Polytechnic Administrators Association and the Polytechnic Workers’ Association of the Wa Polytechnic, staged a boycott after the Governing Council of the school reportedly ignored their request for the new Rector to step aside until investigations into the allegations are completed.

The Local Chairman of the Wa Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana, Damie Mubashir said the governing Council ignored their petition calling for a boycott of the induction ceremony in order to avoid embarrassment.

“We petitioned the Governing Council, upon some allegations, that there is financial malfeasance, abuse of office, corruption and they have set up an investigation committee to look at it but we are saying the man should step aside. This was the reason we gave but in the wisdom of the Council, they said once they had invited people, like a face-saving situation. They do not want to embarrass the Council hence they will go ahead with the induction so we said, as a matter of fact, we will not take part in the induction ceremony and that is why we stayed away.”

Mr Mubashir revealed that their members will embark on a strike from next week Monday to drum home their demands.

“We are the people he[Rector] is tormenting. We think it is not necessary to keep him there. We are therefore calling for his removal. On Monday we will not work, we will come and sit down. On Tuesday, we will not work. Next week we will continue until it becomes a cycle.”

Wa Poly lecturers kick against Rector’s induction

The lecturers had earlier called on the Governing Council of the institution to cancel the induction ceremony for the new Rector.

Mr. Mubashir alleged that Professor Marfo-Owusu had procured a vehicle for himself at the cost of over five hundred thousand Ghana cedis without the approval of the Governing Council and hence, should not be inducted.

He further cited other financial irregularities as the basis for their call.

“The Unions are raising red flags against the induction of the Rector. We all know that the induction is an inaugural ceremony for the Rector. He has been in office for one year now. This coming Saturday is the day that Council has scheduled to induct him, but we think it is inappropriate to induct him when there are allegations of financial malfeasance- massive financial fraud against him,” Mr. Mubashir said.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Dr Prempeh said government remained fully committed to promoting tertiary education as a means of equipping its citizens with the requisite tools vital for national development.

The Minister said this at the inauguration of Governing Councils of Bolgatanga and Wa Polytechnics in Accra.

The Council is responsible for the governance of the Polytechnics by enhancing its vision and facilitating its mission.

The Councils are to determine the strategic direction of the Polytechnics and responsible for the management and administration of finances and properties of the institution.

Among other functions, the Councils are to promote income-generating activities, foster linkages and collaboration with relevant national and international industries and determine the allocation and proper use of its funds.

Dr Prempeh said the two polytechnics have received budgetary allocations from GETFund to address their key challenges.

“As part of efforts to deal with the problem of funding higher education, government has committed itself to the establishment of a research fund for the sole purpose of funding relevant and sector specific research works in addition to the book and research allowances”, he said.

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

The Minister said government places emphasis on the continuous linkages of academia with industry and the world of work to ensure curriculum relevance and reduce graduate unemployment.

He admonished them to work diligently to justify the confidence reposed in them by President Akufo-Addo, saying he will follow up on their work and progress with keen interest.

Professor Daniel Bagah, Chairman of the Governing Council for Wa Polytechnic, thanked the President for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to work hard to address the challenges of the institution.

The Polytechnics Law (Act 745) gives mandate to the Polytechnics to provide tertiary education in the fields of manufacturing, commerce, science, technology and provide opportunities for skills development, applied research and publication of research findings.

The Governing Council for Wa Polytechnic are Prof Emmanuel Marfo-Owusu, Rector Wa Polytechnic, Dr Alberta Bondzi-Simpson, Government Nominee, Mr Daniel Adonu, Ministry of Education, Mr Iddrisu Ngmenipuo Mohammed, Convocation and Mr Joachim Zumankyere, Teachers and Educational Workers Union.

Others are Mr Felix Mustapha Nantogma, Polytechnic Administrators Association, Mr Iddrisu Bamie Mubashi Ahmed, Polytechnic Teachers Association, Mr Amoah Ayinbila Pasmond, Polytechnic Student Representative Council and Mr John Okine Yamoah, Ghana Employers Association.

The rest are Mr Freeman Abramani, Association of Ghana Industries, Ing Mathew Adombire, Professional Body and Mr Abdulai Eliasu from Polytechnic’s Alumni Association.

The Governing Council for Bolgatanga Polytechnic are Prof Francis Atindaana Abantanga, Chairman, Dr Mba Atinga, Rector, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Madam Alfredina Zebto Kuupole, Government Nominee, Dr Christian Koramoah, Ministry of Education, Mr Mathew Kwabena Valogo, Convocation and Mr Apasiya Alias Ayinbila, Teachers and Educational Workers Union.

Others are Mrs Saabon Lariba Felicia, Polytechnic Teachers Association, Mr Emmanuel Akanpaadgi, Polytechnic Teachers Association, Mr Fusseini Ayamba, Polytechnic SRC and Mr Freeman Abramani, Ghana Employers Association.

The rest are Alhaji Fusheini Seidu, Association of Ghana Industries, Dr Stephen Turkson, Professional Body and Mr Adama Muntala, Polytechnic’s Alumni Association.

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Source: GNA

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The conversion, it believes, will put the two institutions at the same level with the other converted ones.

The National President of TUWAG Nana Kwapong Offei-Boohene made the appeal at the second triennial congress held at the Accra Technical University

“We would like to appeal to government to expedite process of converting the two remaining polytechnics (Bolga and Wa) into Technical Universities to prevent the southwards drift of students and imminent collapse of the polytechnics,” he said

The president also used the opportunity to appeal to the appropriate authorities to accelerate the approval of their condition and scheme of service.

This year’s Triennial Congress, which was held under the theme “The Role of the Ghanaian Worker as an Engine for National Development” was also used to outdoor it new National Leadership.

Polytechnic conversions

The conversion of polytechnics into technical universities was one of President John Mahama’s manifesto promises ahead of the 2012 general elections.

According to government, the purpose of the conversion into technical universities is to bridge the gap between academia and industry.

A technical committee on the conversion of polytechnics to technical universities announced its decision to convert all polytechnics into technical universities beginning 2016.

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By: Anass S. Seidu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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