UMaT in Turmoil: Vice Chancellor Accused of Statutory Violations in Governance Crisis

In a petition addressed to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) and copied to the Western Regional Minister, Associate Professor George Agyei, Head of the Department of Mining Engineering, has sounded the alarm over what he terms an "Academic Coup," demanding immediate intervention to nullify recent actions he deems illegal.

Core Allegations: Bypassing Democracy, Fostering Fear

Prof. Agyei's petition details a pattern of alleged misconduct by the Vice Chancellor, fundamentally undermining UMaT's governing statutes and democratic processes:

1.  Illegally Constituted Disciplinary Committee: The VC stands accused of appointing individuals perceived as personal loyalists to a key Disciplinary Committee, blatantly bypassing  Statute 39(2)(b), which mandates elected representation from the University Convocation. The committee's proceedings are now at the centre of the crisis.
2. Retroactive Legitimization Attempt: Following the submission of Prof. Agyei's petition, a hastily rescheduled Convocation meeting agenda allegedly sought to reconstitute the Convocation Advisory Board while excluding the statutory Convocation representative from the Disciplinary Committee. Prof. Agyei interprets this as a transparent attempt to retroactively legitimise the illegally formed committee 3. Manipulation of Promotions: The petition cites the specific case of Dr. Bright Oppong Afum, whose promotion was allegedly processed illegally while he was on leave, directly contravening Promotion Criteria Section 3.6(iii). This points to a disregard for established rules governing academic advancement.
4. Ignoring Departmental Recommendations & Misuse of Leave: Prof. Agyei alleges the VC granted leave to Mr. Michael Owusu Tweneboah despite accusations of duty abandonment. Furthermore, he claims department recommendations were undermined in appointments, citing the case of  Mr. Boakye Yiadom 
5. Stalling Petitions & Promotions: The Head of Department states his promotion process has been stalled and accuses the administration of persistently disregarding formal petitions, suggesting a systemic dismissal of dissent.

Prof. Agyei contends these actions have created "a climate of fear among lecturers perceived not to be in the Vice Chancellor's favour," eroding trust and democratic governance within the institution.

Governance Experts Prescribe Remedies

In a follow-up statement, Prof. Agyei, invoking the counsel of governance experts, outlined a five-point plan essential to restoring UMaT's integrity:

1. Immediate Nullification: All actions taken by the improperly constituted Disciplinary Committee must be declared null and void.
2.  Statutory Adherence: Strict compliance with UMaT statutes, ensuring all committee representatives are duly elected and properly documented.
3. Transparent Processes: Implement clear, documented procedures for promotions and appointments, respecting and formally incorporating departmental input.
4. Comprehensive Audit: Launch a robust internal audit of UMaT's governance structures to uncover systemic abuses and conflicts of interest.
5. Disciplinary Action:
6. ⁠Take disciplinary measures against Vice Chancellor Prof. Amankwah for "undermining governance structures and creating an environment of fear and victimization."

A Call to Arms for Ghana's Academia

Prof. Agyei framed the crisis as extending far beyond UMaT's walls, calling it "a test of the resilience of Ghana’s higher education governance." He urgently appealed to GTEC, the Ministry of Education, and the wider academic community to "stand firm in defence of democratic governance in universities."

"The academic community must refuse to allow any university to slide into a state where due process is replaced with autocratic discretion," his statement declared, warning against a dangerous precedent.

Prof. Agyei reaffirmed his commitment "to cooperating with all lawful processes that aim to restore integrity and uphold the Statutes of UMaT." He issued a direct plea to the UMaT Council to "act decisively and transparently to restore trust and ensure that no Vice Chancellor or administrator is allowed to undermine the rights of Lecturers and staff."

UMaT's Reputation at Stake

These serious allegations strike at the heart of academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the rule of law within one of Ghana's specialized universities. The detailed accusations of statutory breaches, promotion manipulation, and the creation of a fearful environment demand a swift, transparent, and independent investigation by the relevant authorities – GTEC and the UMaT Council.

The response from Vice Chancellor Prof. Amankwah, the UMaT Council, GTEC, and the Ministry of Education is now keenly awaited as the academic community watches to see if Ghana's tertiary governance structures can withstand this significant challenge. The credibility of UMaT and the broader principles governing Ghanaian universities hang in the balance.

Source: Nana Esi Brew Monney

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