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A professor at the University of Ghana, Professor Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, says that the Public University Bill (PUB) in its current form is unconstitutional and unnecessary for the existence of public universities.
He said “there is nothing good about it” because the bill as it stands has been opposed.
“We have initially opposed it for three reasons, the fact that it is unconstitutional, the fact that it is unnecessary, and the fact that it will create and affect bureaucratic processes that will slow down the effective functions of universities.”
Condemning the bill, the professor noted that the PUB, which has not yet been passed into law, is rushing without seeking any stakeholder consultation for an amendment to the bill.
“The University of Ghana stood out and said that we are totally opposed to the bill and that it should not be passed in any way … and as it stands, everything was rushed and therefore the bill is what the government wants it to be. ”
His comment comes immediately after the approval by parliament of the Public University Bill at the second reading stage on Tuesday.
The bill which was withdrawn and resubmitted in parliament after the UTAG raised concerns about the unconstitutionality of the bill and its consequent negative effect on public tertiary education in Ghana.
Meanwhile, Mr. Appiagyei-Atua stated that the bill was resubmitted to parliament without majority change.
He also indicated that the bill intends to grant the Rector the power to dissolve the University Council, which will now have the power to appoint a rector.
According to him, the provision of the bill is contrary to the 1952 constitution.
The professor also hinted that the bill, if implemented, will affect admissions processes, stating that the bill would allow the government to admit students.
“The memorandum specifically states that the government’s flagship program, which is the free upper secondary school program, is supposed to pave the way for access to more students. Therefore, we see a link there that the government may end up controlling admissions to universities and that, therefore, it will dilute the quality of students who will be qualified to come to university. “
“The university must have the power to admit its own people to the university based on its own criteria,” he emphasized.
