Naba Jacob Adanigna, chief of Gongnia community, students, and alumni of St.John Bosco College of Education in the Upper East Region has petitioned President Akufo-Addo to renew tenure of Professor Joseph Amikuzuno as the principal of the school.
The petition, presented to the President through Mr Joseph Adongo, the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Chief Executive, highlighted the significant transformation the College had experienced under the leadership of Professor Amikuzuno’s, which they believed warranted the extension of his term.
The petitioners expressed concern over what they described as “unilateral efforts by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETEC)” to appoint a new principal for the College without involving the Governing Council or engaging in broader consultations with key stakeholders, including the local community.
“We wish to register our displeasure at the turn of events, especially when it concerns a principal with visible evidence of progressive developmental projects and prospects to elevate the college further,” the petition alleged.
The petition further alleged that the GTEC Chairman “extended the tenure of retired principals with minimal impact on the college’s progress, and it was unfair to replace Professor Amikuzuno whom it described as young and hardworking, young man who is also a native of the region”.
The community opposed the removal or replacement of Prof. Amikuzuno while he still had the potential to serve another term.
They emphasized that the reasons provided by GTEC do not outweigh the principal’s accomplishments and dedication.
In highlighting some few achievements of Prof. Amikuzuno they said he succeeded in an out-of-court settlement of a 42-year-old land dispute, constructed a protective fence wall for the college, and developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the college and the community aimed at fostering mutual development.
They said the professor has also introduced new academic programmes, brought onboard a remedial programme that was helping students who would not have gotten the opportunity to continue their education, transformed the College Basic School to a model school, increased the staff strength by over 50 percent, completed the college auditorium that stalled since 2012
These efforts, among other key achievements the petitioners argue, were clear indicators of the progress under his leadership and the tangible benefits to both the institution and the surrounding community.
The people of Gongnia, therefore, strongly urged President Akufo-Addo to renew the principal’s tenure, recognizing the positive changes brought about during his administration and the bright prospects for the future of St. John Bosco College of Education.
GNA
