The Student Representative Council (SRC), alumni, and other stakeholders of St. John Bosco College of Education in Navrongo have expressed strong opposition to the removal of the institution’s principal, Professor Joseph Amikuzuno.
A letter signed by Rev. Alfred Agyenta, Chairman of the school’s Governing Council, directed Professor Amikuzuno to hand over management of the college by December 31, 2024, and step aside.
The decision has sparked discontent among students, alumni, and stakeholders, culminating in planned demonstrations on the streets of Navrongo. However, the Ghana Police Service quickly intervened to disperse the protesters shortly after the demonstration began.
Speaking to Citi News, Godfrey Apulala, an alumnus and one of the demonstrators, explained the reasons behind their protests, citing dissatisfaction with the decision and a perceived lack of transparency in the process leading to the principal’s removal.
“The reason why we are here today trying to exercise our democratic right is that our principal, Professor Joseph Amikozono – and it is not because of his personality that we are here as a professor, but because of the developmental achievement that he has brought to St John Bosco College of Education.
“He has brought about over 26 developments to the school and we have seen that for the past years, over 42 years, we have never seen any development like what he has done in only four years.
“He had been able to build a 1,500-seater auditorium. He has been able to build an abandoned building…he has been able to secure new furniture for the school. He has been able to secure laptops and then desktop computers for the school. He has been able to promote some of his staff who were due for promotion. So this kind of person, because of what he’s bringing to the community, that is why we are here today.
“To demonstrate that they should listen to us and allow him to lead again. So that the developmental progress of the school will continue,” he stated.