Oquaye Sparks Trouble …As He Chases ‘Afful-Broni’ PHD Awards

The Right Honorable Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, has come under public scrutiny and condemnation after he expressed his overwhelming enthusiasm to be decorated with a honorary doctorate degree by the current leadership of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) at a time the head, VC Prof. Afful-Broni’s legitimacy is challenged and he himself is lead character in countless controversies, brawls and accusations of human right abuses.

Aside the question of the legitimacy or otherwise of Prof. Afful-Broni, there are official reports from National Security that he is tarnishing the image of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of which Oquaye belongs and a Zongo Chief from the area has publicly accused him of sponsoring another parliamentary candidate against the NPP candidate for the area; Alex Afenyo-Markin, who belongs to same NPP as Mike Oquaye.

As to why exactly Professor Oquaye would stand his ground and still be interested in chasing an honorary doctorate that would be of no additional significant use to him, despite the growing civil and political agitation the incident has sparked, barely two months to general elections, has raised suspicions as to what the actual motive may be.

Workers of the University who have dragged the VC to court on accusations of human right abuses have called on the Speaker, Mike Oquaye to distance himself from the supposed honorary awards, NPP faithful in the community have pleaded with Mr. Speaker to not soil his reputation with the conduct of the VC and now civil society groups, including the Chief Executive for IMANI has added his voice and expressed surprise that the Speaker is indeed getting himself involved in this incident.

Expressing concern over the ‘Oquaye-Afful-Broni Awards saga’, Franklin Cudjoe the Chief Executive of IMANI noted on his facebook wall: “The most venerable Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye needs no further accolades. If he must, need and indeed accept any new ones, they must add immense value above his impeccable credentials- Further, any such grace to be bestowed on Rt. Honourable Oquaye must not come from controversial quarters where perennial leadership struggle has been so bitter and likely to impugn professional academic integrity. Which is why I was worried gravely

“When I saw social media ads suggesting that the embattled sectarian leadership of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) was about conferring an honourary award on Speaker Mike Oquaye. I am most certain that such a decision is at best promoted by one half of the leadership while the other part could only look on forlornly. Such important academic honour to be bestowed on our academically renowned political scientist, reverend minister and above all the Speaker of our Parliament must not be mired in needless controversy. In these days of littered awards, one for our Speaker must be above idle chatter. But does my friend, Rt. Honourable Speaker need another award?” Franklin Cudjoe added.

Oquaye Excited

According to the University, Prof. Oquaye has expressed excitement that he would be decorated with a honorary Doctorate degree and has assured that he would travel to the Central Region for the occasion.

The University, in a news statement on its website, quoted Prof Oquaye to have said: “it will be a great joy to have a special occasion like that to come and receive an honorary doctorate degree. It is nice to work for a doctorate degree but it is also nice for one to be bestowed upon you. So, we look forward to the appropriate day and we trust that we will have a very good useful time at a convocation of that nature”

EOCO Finds Afful-Broni Guilty

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has indicted Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni in a report that has not been acted upon by the school’s Governing Council, else he would not have been at post.

EOCO’s final report on procurement infractions at the UEW concluded that Prof. Afful-Broni in his capacity as Chairman of the Transport Committee of the University is guilty of breaching the transport policy.

The report said on March 21, 2017, “The Head of Transport of UEW, Alvin Kwesi Andoh notified Management of the University through the Registrar that, section (8) of the (SIC transport) policy has not been complied with. He therefore submitted proposals on the insurance policy. This proposal was not acted upon by the Members of the Transport Committee Chaired by the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Rev. (Prof.) Afful-Broni.

“Therefore, there was a breach of the transport policy of the University. Per the Transport Policy, members of the Transport Management Committee are to be held responsible  as stated in Section 2 sub section a and b of the Transport Policy.” –MORE SOON