The Dean of Students of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Kwaow Edjah has issued a stern warning to prosecute students who engage in criminal activities in court instead of using the institution’s internal mechanisms to resolve such matter.
The Dean of Students of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Kwaow Edjah has issued a stern warning to prosecute students who engage in criminal activities in court instead of using the institution’s internal mechanisms to resolve such matter.This, he said, had become necessary since most students now prefer to resort to court over simple disputes instead of using the university’s internal apparatus in resolving disputes.
The Dean of Students made this observation on Thursday, March, 19, 2015 when he addressed the UCC House of Parliament.
He made a clarion call on students to utilize the institutional apparatus in resolving issues instead of resorting to court over petty issues that could be resolved even within SRC leadership level.
Prof. Edjah said that the current operational constitution of the SRC contained some inherent lapses and needed to be reviewed to ensure the best interest of students.
He said, for instance, the constitution scraps the presidency slot of Local NUGS position which does not allow Local NUGS officials to be at par with their colleagues in other universities and also belittles the Local NUGS office when it comes to decision making within the student level.
He further stated that previous constitutions of the SRC made provision for some positions of the SRC to be appointed by the SRC Presidents. This, he said, allowed the SRC President to select people who share his or her vision to have an effective administration, but the current constitution enforces that such positions be elected, which in his view, does not serve the interest of students.
He dismissed rumours making rounds that his office was massaging the SRC Constitution to suit their interest and described such rumours as false and students should treat such rumours with the greatest contempt it deserves.
On the issue of SRC finances, Prof. Edjah maintained that the SRC had a lot of money but the SRC must make their priorities right and opt for prudential management.
He said that a lot of students were in financial crises and therefore the SRC should come up with innovative ideas that could improve the lot of students.
Concluding, the Dean of Student charged students to demand accountability from their leadership but cautioned students to do so with respect and decorum.
Minority Leader, Paul Addah, thanked the Dean of Student for making time out of his busy schedules to address the House.
The Speaker,Bikinteeb Nanang, on behalf of students, thanked the Dean but pleaded with him to whip up efforts at resolving the water situations in the Halls of residence.
Sitting remain adjourned to Wednesday, March, 25.
