The University of Education, Winneba Council, has agreed to comply with the High Court’s order to reinstate former Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Mawutor Avoke and other former staff.
A legal tussle, which began in July 2017, saw Professor Mawutor Avoke and three other principal officers dismissed for some alleged financial malfeasance.
Three senior lecturers including Professor Ephraim Avea Nsoh were later in 2019 dismissed for misconduct and insubordination.
But the Winneba High Court on Tuesday, February 2, 2022, ordered that Professor Mawutor Avoke be reinstated including all those who were affected by the legal tussle.
Speaking to Citi News after an emergency meeting on Thursday, which had the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum in attendance, the Chairman of the Council, Nana Ofori Ansah said the institution would take the necessary steps to fully go by the order of the court although not everyone will be happy with the decision.
“We are complying with the orders of the court. The court says they should be reinstated and we have to comply with it. Whatever decision that will be taken, some will be happy, others will not so it is based on whose interest that person is playing into. Not everyone will be happy but it is a court order,” he said.
The embattled former vice chancellor, Professor Mawutor Avoke after the court’s decision promised to provide “the committed and visionary” leadership needed to help the school achieve its stated objectives.
Mr. Avoke says he is also committed to reconciling with the persons who caused his removal.
“I pledge that upon my return to office in the coming days, I will provide the committed and visionary leadership needed to help the UEW to either achieve or move it closer to achieving its stated purpose.”
“I intend to work every day with all the genuineness of heart, skill, and diligence at my disposal to ensure that complete and total reconciliation is done between me and all the persons who may seem to have been vanquished by today’s judicial determination,” Prof. Avoke said in a statement.
The acting vice chancellor of UEW, Professor Andy Ofori-Birikorang has been in charge of the school since 1st October, 2021 after the tenure of Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni officially ended on 30th September, 2021.
