Deputy Minister of Education in charge of tertiary education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has questioned the motivation of the University of Ghana to adopt a confrontational approach in its dealings with its supervising ministry and government.
According to him, while all universities in Ghana have very cordial relations with the Ministry and Government, the University of Ghana appears to be a deviant. He is therefore at a loss as to why the University of Ghana refuses to engage the Ministry of Education on developments on campus and act as though they are a republic unto themselves when none of the others does that.
Okudzeto Ablakwa was responding to questions from Asempa FM in the wake of a request by the Ministry on Tuesday for Legon to submit a report on its controversial implementation of on-campus road tolls.
Ablakwa said while he does not believe that the new tendency to defy the MOE and government has the support of all at Legon, the University cannot in one breath act as a republic on its own and in another breath acknowledge government’s role in providing subventions.
He told Asempa FM that cooperation leads to good development for all, “but this impression, very new impression and I don’t want to believe that everybody at the University of Ghana supports this new tendency to disregard the ministry of education, disregard government and operate as if you are an island unto yourself. Meanwhile the act establishing the university is clear… you are under the Ministry, you report to the Minister, you are supposed to work with the Minister, but it is as if these days the laws don’t work in our country…”
He said he would rather leave it to the conscience of the University authorities to decide if it was proper for them to act as though they are an island unto themselves while in times of need, they recognise that the Ministry of Education exists.