President Akufo-Addo has firmly defended his government’s intent to introduce a bill into Parliament to harmonise the administration of public universities.
He said contrary to critics of the bill, the Public Universities Bill is for the good of the institutions.
Addressing the 11th Congregation of the University of Professionals Studies, Nana Akufo-Addo disputed arguments that the bill, when passed into law, would take away academic freedom from the universities.
Read: Education Ministry, law professor in fresh tango over draft universities bill
He noted that such arguments are “flimsy” and born out of “mischief-making and are disingenuous.”
According to him, the bill states the cardinal importance of academic freedom.
The President said consultations on the bill have been completed and it will be submitted to the House in 2019.
What are the main highlights of the bill?
- The Bill seeks to harmonise the administrative structure of all public universities - The Bill gives government appointees majority on the Governing Council of the universities - The Bill reduces the membership of pressure groups like University Teachers Association, Ghana (UTAG), Teachers and Education Workers Union (TEWU) and others to a single representative on a rotational basis. - The Bill also seeks to harmonise admission to all public universitiesWhat have been the reactions?
Some lecturers have raised serious concerns about the provisions of the Bill.
Read: Academic freedom under threat: Prof Gyampo condemns ‘bogus’ draft Public Universities Bill
Head of European Studies at the University of Ghana, Prof. Ransford Gyampo described the proposed changes as bogus.
“…we would resist the attempt to touch our academic freedom with our blood,” Prof. Gyampo wrote on Facebook in April.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana shouldn’t have experienced any ‘dumsor’ after 2017 – IES Boss
2 mins -
Lamens flouted some food safety laws in re-bagging rice – Former FDA Boss Alhaji Hudu Mogtari
34 mins -
Afcon exit: Our issue is administrative failure and mismanagement, not lack of talent – Saddick Adams
54 mins -
WAPCo to commence major pipeline maintenance and inspection from November 25
1 hour -
CEO of Oro Oil Ghana Limited Maxwell Commey listed among the 100 Most Influential People Awards, 2024
1 hour -
Power crisis: Amandi is off due to maintenance, not debt – ECG Boss
1 hour -
Votes cast for late Akua Donkor to be declared invalid – Electoral Commission
2 hours -
You can’t keep “incompetent” Otto Addo for the long term – Countryman Songo
2 hours -
Joy FM holds 2024 Prayer Summit for Peace
2 hours -
Lady sues Police and AG over assault in custody
3 hours -
Ghana’s railway sector has been revived under my leadership – Akufo-Addo
4 hours -
Next government must enforce C190 – Women Economic Dialogue Forum
4 hours -
NCCE engages party youth activists at Nandom on peaceful election
4 hours -
SSNIT engages stakeholders on its operations
4 hours -
Defilement: 19-year-old farmer jailed ten years, with hard labour
4 hours