Professor Harold S. Amonoo-Kuofi is the chairman of the University of Cape Coast governing council. The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Cape Coast North, Horace Ekow Ewusi, has petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove him from office.
According to Horace Ekow Ewusi’s petition, Prof. Amonoo-Kuofi’s actions are interfering with the university’s operations, and as such, her removal is necessary for the benefit of the entire institution.
According to him, the chairman’s actions indicate that he is pursuing a personal goal, which is detrimental to the management of the university.
“I humbly write to bring to your attention the disturbing conduct of the Chairperson of the Governing Council of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Harold S. Amonoo-Kuofi, which is affecting the smooth running of the University and further petition your high office to investigate same and further humbly request for his removal.
“This request is being made as a final resort after numerous efforts by the eminent of the community, including myself to request him to conduct himself as a seasoned statesman and responsible Chairperson of a highly esteemed institution as the University of Cape Coast has proved futile. Although the Chairman may be seen as a party person and professional, his conduct clearly demonstrates that he is seeking a personal agenda than the one that he was brought in for which is the collective interest of the University thereby affecting our chances of winning the seat,”
The petition said certain things.
The NPP parliamentary candidate charged that the chairman of the governing council was displaying dictatorial tendencies when making decisions on the administration of the university, saying
“he lacks a fundamental grasp of corporate governance principles and behaves as an executive chairman, making unilateral decisions without recourse to members of the University Council.
“He has repeatedly taken it upon himself to make unilateral decisions, including solely responding to a petition on an advertisement without seeking input from other members of the Governing Council. Additionally, he has clashed with two major unions (UTAG and GAUA), the convocation and the Board of convocation of the University. Attached as Appendix 1 to 3 are copies of the responses written by Prof. Harold Amonoo-Koufi to these bodies.”
Additionally, he charged that since taking office, Prof. Amonoo-Kuofi has been persistently criticising the university’s vice-chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, saying that these attacks have “caused a lot of tension and division within the University community.”
“Faculty and staff of the University, who form the base of our party, have expressed concerns about the sudden turn of events since Prof. Harold Amanoo-Kuofi assumed office and the potential impact this has on the University’s reputation.”
In a letter dated August 2, Professor Amonoo-Kuofi declared that Johnson Nyarko Boampong’s position as UCC’s vice-chancellor had been terminated.
