Confusion broke out at the Wa Polytechnic campus in the Upper West Region today [Monday], as angry workers of the school, including lecturers, chased out their Rector, Professor Marco Owusu.
The agitated teaching and non-teaching staff also blocked all roads leading to the school’s administration to prevent the Rector from accessing his office.
The Rector, according to Citi News’ Upper West Regional Correspondent, Latif Mahama, struggled to escape the wrath of angry workers.
The Local President of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG), Mubash Bamie, in an interview with Citi News said they did that to enforce the Rector’s suspension by the Polytechnic’s Council.
He explained that the Rector had been banned from visiting the school since his suspension, but he defied the order and showed up today [Monday], prompting that reaction.
“After his suspension by the Council on Thursday, we never expected him to be in office. He was suppose to wait until the court determines the case, but this morning he came to the administration block . When the workers learnt that he had returned to the school, they decided to chase him out.”
According to the local POTAG Chairman, once the Rector’s case in court challenging his suspension is yet to be determined, he had no right to resume work.
Wa Poly lecturers kick against Rector’s induction
The lecturers had earlier called on the Governing Council of the institution to cancel the induction ceremony for the new Rector.
Mr. Mubashir alleged that Professor Marfo-Owusu had procured a vehicle for himself at the cost of over five hundred thousand Ghana cedis without the approval of the Governing Council, and hence, should not be inducted.
He further cited other financial irregularities as the basis for their call.
“The Unions are raising red flags against the induction of the Rector. We all know that the induction is an inaugural ceremony for the Rector. He has been in office for one year now. This coming Saturday is the day that Council has scheduled to induct him, but we think it is inappropriate to induct him when there are allegations of financial malfeasance- massive financial fraud against him,” Mr. Mubashir said.
Despite their resistance, the Rector who had been serving for a year, was eventually inducted into office, although the Lecturers boycotted the ceremony.
It is thus unclear why the Governing Council of the school now found it needful to suspend him.
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By; Marian Ansah & Latif Maham/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
