The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has elected Prof. Andy Ofori-Binkorang as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Institution.
His election comes days after the Winneba High Court threw out an injunction application that sought to challenge the Vice Chancellor’s authority to nominate candidates for the position.
Prof. Ofori-Binkorang, who beat two other nominees in an election to win the position, is the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Communications.
His induction is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
Public Relations Officer of the University of Education Winneba, Ernest Azutiga confirmed the election to Citi News.
“The three people who were nominated were Professor Yaw Ameyaw, Professor Dominic Mensah, and Professor Andy Ofori-Binkorang. Convocation voted and Prof. Ofori-Binkorang emerged the winner of that election and so he stands as the Pro-VC elect, there will be an induction ceremony but the date is yet to be set”.
A High Court in Winneba, presided over by Her Ladyship, Justice Janapare Bartels Kodwo, on November 18 2019 threw out an injunction and certiorari application filed by Dr. Kaakyire Duku Frimpong against the University of Education, Winneba.
The injunction by Duku, a lecturer and President of the UTAG-UEW, sought to challenge the Vice Chancellor’s power to nominate three candidates for election to occupy the position of a pro-Vice-Chancellor.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor’s election slated for June 13, 2019 was postponed a day before the election, due to an application filed against the respondent institution.
Her Ladyship Justice, Janapare Bartels Kodwo dismissed the said application on procedural grounds and awarded a cost of 5,000 cedis against the applicant, Dr. Kaakyire Duku Frimpong.
Dr. Duku’s concerns
Dr. Duku Frimpong had alleged in his suit that participation in the process for the election of a Pro-Vice-Chancellor was being limited to a chosen few to the disadvantage of other equally qualified persons.
He had told Citi News that the unlawful conventions must be immediately discontinued to allow for the right processes to be used in the selection.
“When you practice a convention for a period, it doesn’t make it a law. What used to be where senior-most professors were nominated, things have now changed. We need to revisit our statutes and use what the statutes say. The nomination should be avoided. Whoever is interested and qualified per the statutes should avail himself or herself to be elected,” he said.
