Special Meeting Of The National Council For Higher Education (N.C.H.E.)
August 2, 2026
Transcript
National Council For Higher Education
May 31, 1978
National Council for Higher Education,
P.O. BOX M.28,
Accra. 31 st May, 1978
My Ref: SCR-224
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE N.C.H. E.
As you are aware, there will be a special meeting of the N.C.H.E. at 3 p.m. on Thursday, 1st June, 1978 at Meeting Room 4 on the First Floor of the 1st Bay of the State House to consider:
The report of the Sub-Committee on the restoration of Normal Activity in the Universities of Ghana.
A copy of the Committee’s report is hereby enclosed.
(J.B. LOMOTEY)
SECRETARY
DISTRIBUTION:
Mr. C.M.O. Mate
Mr. K.B. Ayensu Rev.
Professor C.G. Baeta
Professor D.A. Bekoe
Professor E. Bamfo-Kwakye
Professor J. Yanney-Ewusie
Professor D.A. Akyeampong
Professor A.N. Tackie
Professor S.Sey
Professor K. Asiedu-Akrofi
Mr. A. Kwame Pianim
Mr. G. Adali-Mortty
Mr. S.E. Arthur
Mrs. Mary Chinery-Hesse
Professor E.A. Boateng
Professor P. Austin Tetteh
Mr. G.S. Hagan
Mr. C.M.O. Mate,
Chairman National Council for Higher Education,
State House,
Accra.
Dear Sir,
At the Emergency meeting of the National Council for Higher Education held on 9th May, 1978, on the developments at the three Universities, it was resolved that a three-man committee be appointed:
“to assemble information on the present situation in the Universities and make suggestions for the restoration of normal activity in the shortest possible time”.
The Committee under my chairmanship included Mr. A. Kwame Pianim 3 Member Mr. J.B. Lomotey Member/Secretary The Committee was assisted by Mr. M. Akuete who provided us with invaluable secretarial services.
In the course of the Committee’s fact finding exercise we travelled to all three University campuses and held meetings with:
(a) University Administrators represented by the Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Vice-Chancellors, and Registrars;
(b) National Executives of the National Union of Ghana Students and of the Academic Staff Association of University Teachers;
(c) Local representatives of GAUT, ASA, and Executives of Student Representative Councils.
The meetings, characterised by a frank exchange of views, proved informative and very educational.
On the Government side we had meetings with
(a) Mr. Ernest Ako, Member of the Supreme Military Council and Inspector-General of Police;
(b) Mr. E.K. Buckman, Commissioner for N.R.C. Affairs
(c) Mr. E. Owusu-Fordwouh, Commissioner for Education and Culture who also has temporary responsibility for higher Education on behalf of the Head of State.
In these meetings the Committee had a unique opportunity to get an insight into the thinking on the government side. The exchanges of views were held in an atmosphere of calmness and frankness.
The Committee also met Mr. David Andoh and Mr. Francis Buah, Chairman of the Councils of the University of Science and Technology and of the Cape Coast University respectively. We discussed the possible options in general and weighed alternative strategies for resolving the current difficulties and restoring an atmosphere conducive to the pursuit of academic activity on the campuses.
In writing its report the Committee has deemed it unnecessary to rehash the events of the past few months since they are well documented. Incidents and/or events have been cited only in order to illustrate certain points. In any case, the limited time available to the Committee for its work would not have made possible any extensive or worthwhile evaluation of the facts and events. We have tried as much as possible to present in our report the deeply held convictions and views of the parties interviewed. The important point is not whether the views are based on proved facts; what is important is that they did influence the actions and opinions of the parties concerned.
The supreme interest of the nation demands a solution that will lead to the saving of the 1977/78 academic year. It is from this point of view that we have formulated our proposals requiring, as they do, a general dismissal of all incidents related to the March 1978 referendum; a willing- ness for reconciliation, and a mutual appreciation of the respective roles of the parties to the conflict.
Humbly submitted.
Yours faithfully,
Rev. Prof. C.G. BAETA
CHAIRMAN
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