The Chairman of the Krobo Youth Association, Kyeremeh Donkor, has called on the government to allow the Principal of the Techiman-Krobo Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Hellen Dwamena, to step aside temporarily to pave the way for investigations into concerns raised by students.
His comments follow a protest by students on July 27, demanding the immediate removal of Mrs Dwamena over allegations of poor leadership and deteriorating conditions on campus.
The development led to the temporary closure of the school, while a committee set up by the Ministry of Health investigates the issues surrounding the incident.
According to Mr Donkor, the closure of the school is threatening the academic future of final-year students, some of whom have already begun their final examinations and practical assessments.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, he said the situation at the school was unprecedented, insisting that previous principals managed the institution without similar challenges.
“This school has been in existence for about six to eight years, and what we are witnessing now has never happened before. All the principals who have been here have done their work effectively and efficiently,” he said.
Mr Donkor, however, alleged that some decisions and actions by the current principal have created dissatisfaction among students, parents and community members.
“But for this principal, there are things she is doing that people are not happy with. We have children and relatives in the school, so we know what is happening,” he added.
He said opinion leaders in the community had made attempts to engage the principal over the concerns but failed to reach a resolution, leading to the students’ demonstration.
Mr Donkor further alleged that the protest was met with police brutality, a claim that has not been independently verified.
“Opinion leaders have engaged her, but to no avail. Until we woke up to the demonstration by the students, and unfortunately, they were brutalised by the police,” he stated.
The Krobo Youth Association Chairman expressed worry that the closure of the school could disrupt the academic calendar of final-year students, who are expected to complete their examinations soon.
He said students had already begun their final examinations and practical assessments before the school was shut down on Tuesday, August 4.
“From Tuesday, August 4, to September, final-year students are writing exams, and some have begun practicals. But the school has been closed down while the principal is still at post. Why should it be so?” he questioned.
Mr Donkor argued that allowing the principal to remain in charge while investigations continue could further delay the reopening of the school.
“We are demanding that the principal steps aside and a deputy or another person is brought in as an interim measure while the investigation proceeds.”
He questioned the impact of the closure on students and called for urgent action to ensure they return to the classroom.
“Are the students not going to write the exams? What is going to happen to them, and until when are they going to stay home?” he asked.
He appealed to the relevant authorities to intervene swiftly to resolve the matter and protect the interests of the students.
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