The Tertiary Educational and Institutions Network (T.E.I.N) Branch of the University of Ghana has issued a press statement debunking claims that the government free laptop distribution in the university is skewed towards TEIN members.
The statement which was issued and signed by its president, Nuhu Rashid stated that, “we wish to commend the government for taking the bold step in the action year to distribute laptops to some students of University of Ghana. It is in fulfillment of the better Ghana agenda where the government promises to invest in education. It was therefore not surprising when the government provided laptops to more than hundred needy students in the university therefore investing in the needed human capital”.
However, the statement read, “we regret with shock to learn that TESCON Legon started beating war drums about the laptop distribution though some of their members were also beneficiaries. We want to put on record that the laptop distribution was done in a fair and transparent manner. It was only those who refused to hear or who are not current on national issues that did not apply. The ministry in charge and some government officials spoke about these laptop applications times without number. We are amazed that some propagandists in the NPP are saying that students do not have any idea about the whole process of the laptop acquisition”.
It noted that, “it is dubious to say that the beneficiaries of the laptops are members of TEIN. We vehemently refuse this and wish to state the facts. At the University of Ghana we have nine TEIN executives’ members and forty key branch executives of our ten branches on campus. We want to say on authority that none of these executives was a beneficiary of this better Ghana initiative. The names of the beneficiaries were published in the Ghanaian times dated 18/11/11”.
Therefore the statement added, “Legon TEIN will not take it lightly and is ready to take legal actions against TESCON for mischievously saying that our members took money from students in order to facilitate the process at the ministry in charge. We will consult our lawyers as to what to do next”.
“It is disappointing when intellectuals jump into conclusions without necessarily doing their homework well by hurriedly cooking up a story to defame their opponents. Is that a manifestation of their ‘’ALL DIE BE DIE” mantra? As far as these laptops acquisition is concern students apply to the ministry of environment science and technology and selected students are told to bring their students ID cards to receive the laptops on individuals’ bases and there are no middle men involved. We think that their behavior is too rude for young politicians like them”, it added.
According to the statement, “TEIN Legon believes that the attitude of TESCON is a political gimmick as they are aware of how determined the NDC is in winning the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency. TEIN will never be detracted from focus and will continue to play a critical role towards the success of our candidate Kwame Kingsley Awuah Darko in the 2012 polls”.
Francis Xavier Tuokuu/Ghananewslink.com