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The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has expressed its dismay at the government’s resubmission of the rejected Public Universities Bill (PUB) to Parliament for consideration in the 8th session.
With deep concern, they said they observed the government’s persistence in pushing through this controversial bill despite widespread rejection from the university community and the higher education environment. We are particularly dismayed by the lack of consultation or engagement with UTAG, the primary stakeholders and beneficiaries of such legislation.
Parliament resumed sittings today, February 6, after a short break. The first meeting of the fourth session of the 8th Parliament is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. prompt.
During this meeting, a total of 82 bills are expected to be presented to the House,” Parliament said in a statement dated February 5, 2024.
Amongst the bills the house will be considering are the Aged Persons Bill, 2023,
Advertising Council Bill, 2023; Consumer Protection Bill, 2023; Public University Bill, and the 2023 Ghana Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
During this meeting, the House will also work on twelve (12) bills currently at the committee level.
Amongst them are the Affirmative Action (Gender Equality) Bill, 2023 (Committee on Gender and Children) and the Social Protection Bill, 2023 (Committee on Gender and Children).
Also, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (Amendment) Bill, 2021, and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which are private member’s bills, will be worked on before the House goes on recess ahead of the general elections.
UTAG, in a statement, said it vehemently opposes the passage of the PUB in its current form and demands its immediate withdrawal from Parliament.
“The disregard for consultation with UTAG, coupled with the alarming disregard for the concerns of the university community, demonstrates a lack of respect for the principles of shared governance and academic freedom.
“As stakeholders committed to advancing higher education in Ghana, we urge the
government to reconsider its approach and engage in meaningful dialogue with UTAG
and other relevant stakeholders, including TUTAG.
The future of our public universities and the quality of higher education in Ghana depend on collaborative efforts that respect the voices and expertise of all stakeholders.
“UTAG stands firm in its commitment to safeguarding the autonomy and integrity of our public universities, and we will continue to advocate for policies that uphold the values of academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and quality education for all,” they wrote.
