Opinions of Friday, 10 April 2020

Columnist: Shadrach Appiah

Professor Kwasi Yankah: A case of flatter to deceive?

Professor Kwesi Yankah, Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education Professor Kwesi Yankah, Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education

Education is the main factor that drives the growth of every nation.
Research over the years has proven that countries with high literacy rate are more developed.

It is based on this that Ghanaians warmly embraced the introduction of free SHS program by the John Mahama Administration which has been poorly implemented by Nana Addo which we hope John Mahama comes back to review to give hope and life to many.

As a tertiary student I was extremely happy when Professor Kwesi Yankah former Pro-vice-chancellor of the University of Ghana and former President of Central University was appointed as a minister of state in charge of tertiary education. I was happy because of his vast experience in the educational sector.

He distinguished himself very well during his vetting and even pledged to make tertiary institutions go back to its core mandate of knowledge exchange.

Unfortunately this man has disappointed a lot of students. From his own backyard in the Central region, UEW has been embroiled in a needless and unproductive tussle and turf war for almost three years.

As students are struggling to cope with the emotional trauma as a result of the lockdown and closure of schools occasioned by the COVID-19,the sector has introduced E- learning with some of the modules undefined and very cumbersome to access.

How can students in deprived areas access the internet?
How can those in lockdown areas go out to buy recharge cards to partake in the E-learning.

One other problem we are losing sight of is that,lecturers through the module are giving out assignment which students will be assessed with after the COVID-19. How are they going to assess those who for one genuine reason or another can't partake in the E-learning? Is this policy insensitivity or what?

The problems of revenue diversification and institutional autonomy, changing students mix still persists.

To add insult to injury I understand Prof Yankah has won primaries and aiming to annex the Agona East seat.Anokwa "s3 y3n angyae abetwa aa yebehu akokono nkasae".

Having failed miserably as a minister of state what is this man coming to do in Agona?
As a minister of state what has he done for his people?
The people of Agona East and tertiary students in Ghana deserves better