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The former Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast and an Educational Leadership scholar, Prof. G. K. T. Oduro has chided Captain Smart for being ignorant about university administrative arrangements. He said if Captain Smart had ample knowledge in the workings of the University, he would not have made those commentaries he made against the National Democratic Congress running mate. |
“Initially when I head the news, I laughed but latter I felt it was propaganda he(Captain Smart) was engaging in just to tarnish the name and reputation of the woman” Prof. Oduro claimed.
In a telephone interview with Benjamin Tetteh Nartey today Thursday 15th October 2020, on GBC Radio Central, the educational leadership scholar averred that, for Mr. Smart to say Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang was a part time lecturer means he didn’t understand the issues. He explained that, in the University environment, one is appointed a lecturer on a four or six year contract basis and that is subject to renewal.
He explained further that, there is no arrangement that bars anyone from being a lecturer and running for political office. He gave an example that, Dr. Mustapha Hamid only applied for secondment when he was made the Information Minister and even that he took leave of absence. In addition he said “the Executive Secretary of the National Accreditation Board is a parliamentary candidate, but he hasn’t resigned from his post”. “These persons can only resign if they win to become either the Vice President or Member of Parliament” he postulated.
Responding to the issues of salary that Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang has received, Prof Oduro explained that, professors who are given post retirement contracts are not necessarily for teaching but for PhD supervision purposes. “Prof. Opoku-Agyemang has some PhD candidates she is supervising, so if the university pays her for that work done, there is nothing wrong with that”. “Indeed, even if the University paid her for no work done, the university would have to write to the bank to reverse such payments”. “Prof Naana Jane has done nothing wrong” the educational leadership scholar clarified.
According to Prof. Oduro “now that she is the running mate for the NDC, government isn’t paying her and so if she is supervising her PhD students and the university pays her, there is nothing wrong with that”. He continued that, those who are complaining don’t understand the workings of the University.
Further he expounded that, first, when your contract in the university is about ending, the university would write to prompt you about it and enquire if you would want to reapply. Second, your Head of Department must also prove that your services are needed and thirdly, there should be a medical report that indicates that you’re not up to 70 years yet, but your in good health before you can reapply for your contract to be renewed.
In addition according to Prof. Oduro, the fact that Prof. Naana has applied for her contract to be renewed doesn’t mean the university would approve same. “So for Captain Smart to order Prof. Opoku-Agyemang’s to go and withdraw her contract renewal application is sheer ignorance and mischievous”.
He continued that, what Captain Smart has done “Is an indictment on the University”. “It means the University has no rules nor procedures governing it activities”. He added that, before someone is paid in the university, “Your Head of Department must approve that you deserve to be paid before you’re paid”. According to him, the University just cannot pay anyone for paying sake or because she was a former Vice Chancellor. “The University system doesn’t work like that”.
He ended the conversation by saying that, the University is an orderly institution and Prof. Naana has done nothing wrong putting in her contract renewal application.
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Mynewsghana
