Students of Wa Polytechnic on Friday embarked on a demonstration over what they term a ‘stand still’ of activities in the school.
Heads of Wa Polytechnic are currently caught up in a Court litigation almost bringing school activities to a halt.
The Council Chairman and Rector of the school have been taken to court over their long stay in office.
According to some of the School’s union leaders, their term of office have expired; hence should no longer be in office. The issue lingered on until an injunction was sought against the two. The court then asked them to step aside until the case is concluded.
When Peacefmonline.com contacted Tinus Tuozie, President of the Student’s Representative Council (SRC), Wa, he said the situation is so bad that Matriculation is even on hold.
He then pleaded with President John Mahama, Ministry of Education and external stakeholders of Wa Polytechnic, to bring back the school to normalcy.
Read a copy of their statement below
We the student Leadership, on behalf of the General Assembly and the entire student body of the Wa Polytechnic wish to bring to your notice, some pertinent issues within the institution which is affecting students seriously. We are making this move to seek your help in resolving these issues so that activities within the Polytechnic are brought back to normalcy since things are coming to a halt. As we communicate to you now, nothing seems to be moving within the Wa Polytechnic.
Wa Polytechnic has been hit by a deadly storm comprising of a series of court litigations, and the effect poses a threat to the future of the institution. In light of this, the horizon of hope has been darkened by despicable acts of misunderstanding between members of the polytechnic community.
Education in the 21st century has proven to be the light that has long been sought by many generations that came before us, and will continue to be sought by generations to come. However, the seeking of knowledge through education is key and same cannot be said of Wa Polytechnic if immediate actions are not taken to resolve these issues.
The hope of future generations wishing to seek knowledge through Wa Polytechnic is bleak due to the long absence of the principal Officers of the Polytechnic; who are supposed to be in charge of affairs in ensuring the institution functions as a normal tertiary institution as stated under the 1992 constitution of Ghana and the Polytechnic Act 745, 2007 and the Statutes of Wa Polytechnic.
Wa Polytechnic has been deprived of the following key human resources: The Council Chairman, Rector and Acting Registrar, who are the key officers needed for the smooth running of the Polytechnic and are currently not at post.
The absences of these officers have affected students and the smooth running of Wa polytechnic in the following ways:
1. The Students Representative Council (SRC) cannot access its funds anymore. The reason is the absence of these officers most of whom are signatories to the polytechnic accounts where SRC funds are also being lodged.
2. Matriculation ceremony for newly admitted students which is mandatory to usher them into the Polytechnic has not been performed because of the absence of a Registrar. Without this procedure, these students are still not recognized as students of the polytechnic.
3. Students who have completed the institution have not been officially graduated denying them the opportunity to pursue further opportunities. These students have also come on countless occasions for their educational transcripts but have been denied access due to the absence of a Registrar.
4. The absence of these principal officers (Council Chairman, Rector and Registrar) has also slowed down procedures in preparing the Polytechnic towards its conversion into a Technical University.
5. The internal running of Wa polytechnic has been left in the hands of the benevolent few who see the need to contribute to keeping the school on its feet and of which we commend their efforts.
6. The supply of logistics that aid teaching and learning has been limited due to the absence of these key officers.
7. Another effect is that, the incoming annual inter-polytechnic games organized by Ghana Polytechnic Sports Association (GHAPSA) which was supposed to be hosted by Wa Polytechnic cannot be hosted which has led to its cancellation in Wa and hosting rights transferred to a different Polytechnic. The Polytechnic has missed this golden opportunity which would have brought us more into the limelight and also improved economic activities within the region.
8. As a result of the absence of the above mentioned portfolios in the institution, developmental projects such as students hostel facility, Library complex have been abandoned and no progress is being made in that regard.
SRC feels the need for the Polytechnic to grow and develop. Above all, we need peace and a conducive environment to learn and perform our duties as students. By doing this, it offers a brighter future for the generations to come.
The purpose of this document is not to destruct but to construct. We wish to crave your indulgence to help in the restoration of the peace, unity and cordial relationship that existed between people in the past.
The Polytechnic Community has waited for long in silence, hoping that these issues will be resolved, unfortunately they have not, and therefore the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) has taken the step to crave your indulgence to help salvage the situation. The future of Wa Polytechnic is in danger because there is an imminent breakdown of structures within the institution.
Our hearts are broken and the wait is over, we have suffered too long in silence, we are ready to recreate, rebuild and restore the future of Wa Polytechnic and the students. We wish to bring hope to the students of Wa Polytechnic, and that hope will lead to the vision of offering skilled man-power to industry, a reason for which the school was established.
The Wa Polytechnic students have risen to seek new leadership for a new time, we have not lost hope in the future of Wa Polytechnic, there are brighter days ahead, but we must settle our differences and move together as one people.
· Or can we afford to sit and watch a national golden asset of this nature collapse?
· Why should we ignore this young institution to die off?
· How long can we wait for these court cases to be finalized for freshmen and women to be matriculated?
· How long can we wait for these court cases to be finalized for students who have completed to graduate or even have access to their transcripts at least?
· How long can the SRC wait for this dispute to end in order to have access to our funds to carry on students activities?
The core mandate of the establishment of every tertiary institution and the Wa Polytechnic for that matter is focused on teaching and learning. Without students, this institution would be non-existent therefore we wish to state categorically that the effects of these problems are not only felt by students but also the Polytechnic community as a whole.
We are at a time of great tensions, at a time of rising tides and at a time of great challenges that are real in the face of uncertainties, a time we are seeking the intervention of all well-meaning citizens, the President of Ghana, MPs from this region in particular, the Chief Justice, the Minister of Education, internal and external stakeholders of Wa Polytechnic, MMDCEs, Chiefs, NGO’s, the Media, and Religious organizations to help save the situation.
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