Good start for Avoke, right decision by governing council

The New Publisher  applauds the reconciliatory tone with which Professor Mawutor Avoke,  the reinstated Vice Chancellor  of the University of Education, Winneba, (UEW), has resumed work and it is our expectation that all other stakeholders follow suit.

After the High Court ordered that Professor Avoke should be reinstated, all his public utterances, so far, point to the fact that he is genuinely interested in the peace and unity of the institution.

“What is urgently required at the University of Education today is unity, reconciliation and peace. It is also critical to understand that we must work together in unity otherwise we cannot forge any developmental agenda,” Professor Avoke told Journalists who had gathered at the University on the first day he resumed office.

Even before Professor Avoke was officially reinstated, he had issued a statement to the fact that he was not interested in boasting over the victory and the fact that he had been exonerated but rather, his interest was in returning to work in an atmosphere of peace and unity.

He had noted in his statement: “While I consider this judicial determination a total and final vindication of my position regarding the divisive issues that founded my removal from office, I am clear and certain in my mind that I will not boast over the outcome, no matter how reliving and joyous the judgment may seem.

“Instead, and with the help of the almighty God, I intend to work every day with all the genuineness of heart, skill and diligence at my disposal to ensure that complete and total reconciliation is done between me and all the persons who may seem to have been vanquished by today’s judicial determination.”

We believe the posture and  mindset of Professor Avoke  births the end of a turbulent  and divisive era that did the University no good; a regrettable dark history which ironically happened under the leadership  of a Priest as Vice Chancellor.

Never again should the UEW or any other institution of learning be allowed to degenerate into such low levels of acrimony and personal vendetta.

We boldly call on the University’s Registrar to prove his critics wrong as there are some who say they have cause to doubt the validity of his commitment to peace and reconciliation.

At this moment, we have no cause to doubt him. Our searchlight shall however remain focused on him.

This particular Governing Council, under the Chairmanship of Nana Ofori Ansah I, also deserves commendation.

The  Council decided rightly to wholly comply with the Court Order and allow Professor Avoke return to complete his unexpired term. The Council heeded to wise counsel to not appeal or litigate the Court Order.

This brilliant decision to comply with the Order has clearly won the admiration and respect of many, including the very landlords of the University; the Effutu Traditional Council, especially the Paramount Chief of the Effutu Traditional Area, Neenyi Ghartey VII.

Neenyi had signed a statement from the Traditional Council urging the Governing Council to comply with the Order rather than appeal it.  It is obvious that the Governing Council would get the smiles and blessings of the Traditional Council going forward and as stakeholders would now work together in unity to achieve a common goal of development.

The New Publisher, once again, congratulates the reinstated Professor Avoke, the Governing Council and all well meaning stakeholders who have exhibited maturity to get UEW to its current state of harmony and togetherness.

We wish the new VC and the University’s management, the very best in all their endeavours.