Jerry John Rawlings
Former President Jerry John Rawlings has pleaded with the National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah, to look into the continuous dismissals of Professor Mawutor Avoke, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Education Winneba (UEW), and five others.
Mr. Rawlings made the appeal in a letter to the minister dated October 24 following an appeal to him by Prof. Avoke over his challenges with the UEW.
Per an attached petition, it said “the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) which investigated allegations against Professor Avoke and five others has exonerated them, saying “unfortunately, during the pendency of the investigations, the affected persons were dismissed from the university by the previous council of the university.”
“That action has created a complex situation, leaving the exonerated Prof. Avoke and his colleagues still out of work,” it said.
“Honourable Minister, there is a clear of injustice here and the continued non-resolution of this matter is justice denied and untenable,” Mr. Rawlings said in his letter to the National Security Minister.
“As per the professor’s request, I would be grateful if you could look into the merits of the latest developments and take the necessary steps in consultation with the relevant stakeholders that will be satisfactory, justifiable and equitable in the eye of the law,” the letter added.
Procurement Breeches
Again Professor Avoke and four principal officers of the UEW, including the Finance Officer, Dr. Theophilus Senyo Ackorlie, Daniel Tetteh, Mary Dzimey and Frank Owusu-Boateng, were interdicted by the university after it emerged that some vital documents at some offices which were at the centre of a probe on procurement had disappeared.
The above-mentioned persons were found culpable for the loss of the vital documents and were subsequently found guilty of procurement and other financial irregularities.
Prof. Avoke was consequently dismissed and Prof. Afful-Broni appointed as new Vice Chancellor of UEW.
However, EOCO after its investigation of the allegations exonerated Prof. Avoke, and he has since been pushing to return to the university as vice chancellor.
But that has not been possible hence his petition to former President Rawlings.
BY Melvin Tarlue