Prof John Owusu Gyapong (UHAS Vice Chancellor)
The Governing Council of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has extended the tenure of the vice-chancellor (VC), Professor John Owusu Gyapong, for another two years, to expire in July 2022.
The extension was announced in a press statement signed by the university’s registrar, Dr. Cynthia Sena Kpeglo, who is also the secretary to the governing council. The extension comes on the heels of the recent unpalatable comments of Henry Ametefe, Volta Regional NDC Chairman, against the VC.
Mr. Ametefe had warned the VC to be careful about his conduct because “he is on the land of Voltarians.”
He alleged that “but what are we seeing? We have put an Abomoso citizen as our VC. I know he is doing so many dirty things there and removing Voltarians; Ewe people. But all our people are quiet. Togbe Afede and all of them, why?” he queried.
However, in a response to Mr. Ametefe, the Governing Council of UHAS said upon discussing the issue at its meeting on Friday July, 10, 2020 “felt greatly disappointed at these ill-informed comments and personalized attacks against the VC with unfortunate ethnocentric and political undertones.”
While describing the comments as untrue, the council added “we further assure all Ghanaians that the alleged practice of ‘dirty things’ and ‘removing Voltarians’ or any other employee on the basis of their ethnic background is entirely untrue and will never have the support of the UHAS Council in any shape or form because it is at variance with our vision of building an equal opportunities university of international repute.”
The council then reaffirmed for the benefit of the Volta Region, the entire country and International collaborators that the VC, Prof. Gyapong, under their guidance had been consistent in putting in place a robust, transparent and competitive appointment system and process to ensure that at all times, the most competent and capable officers take up available positions irrespective of ethnic, nationality and social background.
The council also commended Professor Gyapong for his professional capabilities, character and managerial acumen since he was inducted into office in October 2016 after a highly competitive appointment process. These attributes including his integrity, competence and efficiency in managing the university is what has earned the VC an extension of his tenure by another two years, to expire in July 2022.
They looked forward to more landmark projects and achievements as the university strived towards positioning itself as a successful university of international standing.
“Finally, the council wishes to express the university’s readiness at all times to openly address any additional concerns that Mr Ametefe and members of the public might have…as UHAS continues to remain apolitical in its dealings,” the statement concluded.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)