Former President Jerry John Rawlings

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has pleaded with the National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah, to look into the matter of 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 dated October 24, 2019.

According to the letter, the former President over the past few days received representations and a petition from Prof. Avoke on his challenges with the UEW.

As per attached petition, it said, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) which investigated allegations against Prof Avoke and five others has exonerated the six persons.

It added that “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.

The letter added “that as per the Professor’s request, I will be grateful if you can 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.”

Procurement Breeches

Prof 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 and Prof. Avoke. 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.

Source: Daily Guide