An Open Letter To Dr. Donkor

Hello Dr.
The pain and resource consumption inherent putting together words pertaining to recent happenings in ANUC had no aversion influence on me because i have always seen you as a role-model and I ve developed an unrepented n biased love for u as an accomplish man of God.

When I gain admission to ANUC, the excitement that filled my heart fattened my mouth with laughter throwing my whole life into a state of celebration. However, recent events have not only dampened my spirit but have also engulfed my night with sleeplessness n thinking seminars. I might sound hypocritical if I don't admit dat ANUC as every human institution is not sacrosanct n infallible but I would have lowered the bar or standard below the threshold if I don't say it point blank that, almost all the unfortunate occurances that have either brought the image of the school into disrepute or have emotionally, psychologically n accademically affected students adversely were avoidable and can be attributed to lack of proactiveness, over discipline and wrongful calculations of outcomes of decisions taken.

Dr. Donkor, I would like to expose the flaws inherent the entire Public Relation (PR) system of ANUC if there is even in existence PR outfit in ANUC because I think there is a communication deficit at play but first let me give u real fact of students' perception about ANUC and it negative impact on the prospects of ANUC. Its my prayer that u take this perception issue serious and work tirelessly to debunk them.

1. Students perceive ANUC as a university full of frustrations and stress. U might think this assertion is false, baseless n lack scientific or statistical backing n I will not blame u cause u r not on the ground with students to feel their pain, anger, distress n disappointment but I can assure u that this is a true representation of the minds of students. I was shocked when I became privy to a lot of students' (both Ghanaians n Nigerians) wazzup DP which displays these words "IF YOU THINK SCHOOL IS EASY, TRY ALL NATIONS UNIVERSITY".

This shows how disenchanted students are and its a clear deviation from the norm relative to the pride students have in their school. When I was in SHS, I had friends from different schools n I vividly recall how we use to argue vehemently to hold our respective school on high and defend the integrity and image of our school. U will hardly hear a student denigrate his school blatantly but the contrary is happening where a student could happily n confidently say "I will not even advice my enemy to school in ANUC".

This is preposterous n must be shaking the very fabric of ANUC although u have not heard so u might not know when it impact begins to manifest.

Dr. Donkor, u r shooting yourself in the foot and engaging in self-deception if for once u think u hv an SRC that brings into ur attention the concerns of students. My assertion afore will be wrong if only u can sincerely answer these questions.

1. Can u say confidently that the SRC knows the real concerns of students?

2. What r the mechanisms or systems the SRC has in place to have a comprehensive picture of what students are going through?

3. Do students know how to contact the SRC for assistance?

This current SRC administration (2014-2015 academic year) is the most useless SRC I hv ever seen n permit me to justify my verdit. I might hv sounded hash but trust me I'm being charitable here taking into consideration how their failure can cause this school a fortune.

Could u believe that on Monday n Tuesday, 27th n 28th respectively of April, 2015, students were in a quandary as to whether regular students will write exams or not. My phone was flooded with a lot of wazup messages n calls seeking answers by virtue of me being an administrator of two wazzup groups with over 170 students and let me hasten to say am not the P. R. O of the SRC. If the SRC was up to it game n on top of issues, my phone battery would hv lasted for long saving me cost of electricity n asset depreciation. This is what happens when u hv inept SRC.

The issues pertaining to the ineptitude of the SRC is legendary and I would be disgressing if am to deal comprehensively with their actions n inactions. But mind u I'm still on the issues of students perceiving ANUC as full of frustrations and stress.

Students are to go through difficulties to get hall tickets.

Can't hall tickets be printed and given out a week before exams? Its pathetic to see students few hours to exams crowded in the administration block pushing their way through to get their hall tickets. Whenever this ritual takes place I begin to image my fellow claustrophobic students what they go through. Its has always been the case, that students goes through hectic process to write their first exams. I humbly call upon you to put in place measures that will ameliorate the stress students go through to write their first exams.

2. Students see ANUC to gradually loosing it compassion and "human face" approach to matters relating to students welbeing. Its is a fact that ANUC is gradually moving towards a state of rigidity and heartlessness particularly about the " Zero Balance" policy.

When I gain admission, local students and foreign students were only denied of writing exams when they owe above 500 cedis and 500 dollars respectively and this was understandable. However, it has gotten to the a point where students owing 100cedis and even as low as Ghc20 were asked to go to the bank and make draft at an extra cost of Ghc5.88. Couldn't management have carried forward this insignificant amount to the next semester fees? This reminds me of a question my Pastor use to ask "What wisdom is this?" We understand generally things are getting tougher particularly the power crisis culminating in an increase cost of doing business. I'm very familiar and cannot count the number of days and hours that ANUC had to be run on Generator but that does not justify the so called Zero Balance policy. In any case, ANUC is not the only being bearing the blant of the hash economic conditions. Utilities bills saw an increase and power supply became epileptic and this did not affect only ANUC, students whose parents survives on jobs like hairdressing, electronic repairing, cold stores and businesses that needs electricity to function but unlike ANUC have no money or capacity to secure loans at the bank to keep their businesses running are the most affected of all not to talk of those whose businesses are collapsing and those being fired. One might argue that why must that be the burden of ANUC and this where the issue of lack of compassion sets in. There is no doubt that the emerging way of running a successful business is running it upon "EMPATHY". Any business that seeks to remain relevant to it clients will look beyond it personal comfort to give customers the best treat.

I humbly call on you to review the Zero Balance policy and peg the minimum balance at 300 cedis and dollars, I think it will be commended by the student fraternity who is at themercy of poverty.

3. Students sees ANUC as an epitome of injustice and unfairness. I will like to delineate this assertion on only the infamous "ELIGIBILITY" issue that nealy visit mayhem upon the school. Its is true that in the student hand book it is stipulated in unequivocal terms that students who fails to attend lectures to a certain percentage is to be denied of writing exams, however, the mere existence of a rule does not make it fair and justice. What if the very foundation of rule is diabolical and a fallacy and smacks of injustice? It is good to have rules that punishes the deviants but the punishment must be commensurable to the offense. Justice is done when the punishment given is equall to the offense committed. Denying students from writing exams because he or she did not attain a certain percentage is preposterous and injustice and permit me to justify this assertion.

a. Automatically, students who absent themselves from lectures are already punished by virtue of them losing the 5% mark, 10% of quizzes, 5% of Devotion etc, so why punish them again? Or is it a deliberate attempt to punish students double? In short, its not fair to punish students double for one offense.

b. The magnitude of the punishment (denied from writing exams) is far greater than the offense.

c. There is no system in place to address the concerns of students who have justifiable reasons for not attending lectures. Students are confronted with an array of challenges, from sickness to financial problem, so before management will continue with the so called ELIGIBILITY policy, they must first put in place an effective and comprehensive system that will not victimize students with good reasons for not attending lectures. Until then, any attempt to force down the throat of students this ELIGIBILITY policy will not wash.

Just last semester, I am aware of 8 students (both Ghanaians and Nigerians) who have left ANUC for other Universities in Ghana and trust me, there are a lot of students who are contemplating of getting transfer. Others are stuck with ANUC because they are either ignorant of the options available to them relative to transfer or they are not prepared to go through the daunting task of transfer or they are allergic to change or like me they hope there shall be a change.

Dr. Donkor, permit me to tackle the issue of public relation at ANUC which I think is very bad and deficient. Indeed, if its not defient, the issue of Benedicta's death could have been handled well in the media in that the door of speculations and deduction that further denigrated the image of ANUC would have not opened. The ELIGIBILITY policy could have been implemented without any challenges if there is an effective and efficient P. R System at ANUC. I think ANUC must have an effective and communication focused P. R outfit that will move with alacrity to safeguard the interest of the school and students.

I will like to end my submission here and I promise not to keep u in the dark as and when the need arises. I'm adding my name and contact to this letter because, this publication is premised on my love for the school, passion to see change and devoid of malice.

Thank you
Yours Faithfully
Sign...