Asenso-Okyere Resumes Duty

THE Council of the University of Ghana, Legon has asked Professor Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere to resume work as Vice-Chancellor with effect from today.

A Ghana News Agency report quoted a statement dated June 30, and signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, A. T. Konu, saying: “it is noticed for general information that Professor K. Asenso-Okyere should resume office as Vice Chancellor on July 3, 2006.”

Prof. Asenso-Okyere was asked by the University Council to step aside following a series of examination scandals that rocked the university in the 2004/5 academic year and led to disciplinary measures being taken against some senior members of staff as well as some students.

Two of the senior members, Prof Edward Ofori Sampong, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Prof. Kwasi Agyemang, head of the Philosophy department, challenged the decision of the university in court.

The Accra Fast Track High Court quashed the sanctions imposed on the two professors by the university.

In his absence, the Council appointed Prof. Cliff N.B. Tagoe to act as Vice Chancellor of the University.

Prof. Asenso-Okyere, whose tenure of office ends on September 30, will later handover to Prof. Tagoe as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the University.

Prof. Tagoe's appointment by the Council was based on the recommendations of a search party constituted to find a successor to Prof. Asenso-Okyere when he leaves office in September.

Even though the statement did not assign any reason for the return of Prof. Assenso-Okyere, a GNA report on June 17, 2006 quoted Prof. Tagoe as saying “the University Council decided that Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere should return to his post as Vice Chancellor for him to properly hand over at the end of his tenure.”

Efforts to reach the Registrar and Prof. Asenso-Okyere for further comments proved futile.