The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has gone hard on President Akufo-Addo for calling its views and that of others on Public Universities Bill disingenuous. The president of UTAG, Dr. Eric Opoku Mensah in a statement said president Akufo-Addo’s view on their stance was unfortunate. The Public Universities Bill which is expected to be sent to Parliament for consideration is being introduced by government to replace archaic laws at some public universities. The proposed law, being sponsored by the Ministry of Education, spells out the procedure for the establishment of Public Universities, the principles of management of public universities and the legal status of public universities. The bill also seeks to provide the procedure for financing public universities and administration and supervision of the activities of public universities and related matters. But UTAG has joined a number of people and organisations condemning the bill as unnecessary and an attempt by government to control the universities. The Association rather suggested to government, among others, to deal with specific challenges at every university. Addressing the 11th Congregation of the University of Professionals Studies, Nana Akufo-Addo said such arguments are “flimsy” and born out of “mischief-making and are disingenuous.” UTAG has also responded to the president, noting, “The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) will like to bring to the attention of Government that the Association finds the Presidents description of the differing views by our cherished members of UTAG on the Bill as unfortunate. “UTAG also finds the description worrying and prejudicial particularly when the Ministry of Education has assured us that it is considering the concerns of UTAG and those of other stakeholders before the Bill is tabled before Parliament.” UTAG also maintained that it would not be moved by anything to change its position on the bill, unless the government addresses key concerns it has raised. “It is important to state that UTAG is strongly opposed to the Bill in its current form and that the proposed Bill should be improved from its “zero draft stage” to incorporate the critical views which have been expressed by key stakeholders.” It warned government that the Association should not be blamed if government decides to go ahead with the bill in its current form. Source: 3news.com | Ghana]]>
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