Tuesday, 14 January

Dispute over principal selection leads to closure of St. Vincent College by Dagbon

Education
Yaa Naa Mahama Abukar

A delegation from the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari, has ordered the closure of the administrative offices of St. Vincent College of Education in Yendi.

The move follows a dispute over the selection process for the institution's new principal.

The college recently faced a leadership vacancy after the retirement of its principal.

While the Yaa Naa recommended a candidate for the position, the college’s governing board opted for a different individual, sparking tensions.

In response, the Registrar of the Dagbon Traditional Council, Alhassan Abdul Fataw, directed the staff and management to lock the offices and vacate the premises until further notice.

Fataw cited the board's decision to bypass the Overlord’s recommendation as a sign of disrespect toward the Dagbon Kingdom.

He noted the historical lack of Dagomba representation in the college’s leadership as a contributing factor to the frustration.

“Since the establishment of the college, there has never been a Dagomba principal. The school board did not even inform the King about the vacancy. The King only learned about it after hearing that interviews were being conducted to fill the position,” Fataw explained.

The Overlord of Dagbon had requested that the board consider an applicant from the kingdom to address perceptions of bias against local candidates.

However, the board proceeded to appoint an individual from outside the Dagbon Kingdom.

“The youth of Yendi decided that since the board disregarded the King’s directive, the college offices should be closed until an amicable solution is reached,” Fataw added.

 

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah