Parliament can revert UG’s powers-Deputy Minority leader

Deputy Minority leader, Dominic Nitiwul has stated that Parliament is considering reviewing the University of Ghana law to prevent what he described seeming abuse and bullying of the law by the authorities.

He argued that “If Parliament granted UG the power, then the same Parliament can review it,” he stated.

In an interview with Afia Pokua on Adom FM/Asempa FM’s Burning Issues, the Members of Parliament accused the University of creating unnecessary tension in the nation as a result of their insistent to enforce this toll and sticker rule.

The University of Ghana explains that the 2010 Act gives them the power to initiate income-generating projects and provides further asset which will be charged against the university, and not the state.

Dominic Nitiwul therefore urged UG officials to ease their demands and approach government to begin negotiations to end this impasse which he described as seriously affecting both students and parents most of whom he described gradually becoming “enemies” for the University.

He questioned why the university has not yet submitted its annual fianacial report to parliament as required by law and reminded the Ministry of Education to do so.

Meanwhile, A Political Science lecturer of UG, Dr. Evans Aggrey Darko says the University is ready to negotiate with government.

However, he maintained that UG’s decision to introduce toll, stickers among the other measures are to serve as a source of revenue generation not only for this current road project but also to maintain facilities.

“This is to leave behind a legacy for the future generation but posterity will judge us if we don’t put such measures in place”, he remarked.

He expressed worry that the hullabaloo about the toll has been misunderstand by the public adding that some of these attitude will discourage leadership of various institutions from taking initiative that will serve the future and support government.

The Member of Parliament for Abokobi-Madina MP, Alhaji Amadi Sorogho recounted his own experience with security guards of the university whiles on his way to parliament to lobby for a Fire station for the same University. He insisted that the University of Ghana is abusing its rights and cautioned them to be mindful that it could not operate as an island.

“When UG called for a Fire Service station due to population increase, I led in its establishment but I am denied entry even when I am visiting the station” he lamented.

Source:www.myjoyonline.com

Ghana underutilizing former Prez Kufuor - Spokesperson

Ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor’s spokesperson, Frank Agyekum has said the Ex-President is ever ready to serve Ghana but the country is not taking advantage of his experience like other countries are.

“As a former head of state, he is committed to the development of Ghana and is ready to serve when called upon,” he stated.

Frank Agyekum was speaking to Adom News about the former president’s recent participation in a donor’s conference in France, where he helped Senegalese President Macky Sall to raise more than nine trillion CFA Francs for Senegal.

Agyekum said the former president is ready to extend a similar gesture to Ghanaian President John Mahama, but he could only do that if he is asked.

“Although I cannot answer to why he is not being consulted on issues, he has always expressed his support for President John Dramani Mahama,” Agyekum said.

He recalled how Former President Kufuor’s defied protests from his own party members and attended the President Mahama’s swearing-in to show his support.

Frank Agyekum also wondered why successive governments in Ghana relegate former presidents to the background while other countries continue to benefit from the experiences of those former presidents.

Touching on the purpose of the money former President Kufuor helped to raise for Senegal, he said the money was to support a development plan dubbed “Emerging Senegal”, aimed at doubling Senegal’s economic growth over the next 10 years.

Various Ministers of President Sall’s government made presentations of their development plans at the conference attended by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the French government, the United States Development Agency, the Department for Foreign International Development of the UK, the African Development Bank, and the Kuwaiti Fund among others.

The "Emerging Senegal" programme aims to boost output from agriculture, fisheries and agro-industry, as well as the mining sector and tourism.

It also hopes to make Senegal a logistics hub offering access to West Africa's market of some 300 million people.