The Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu has stated on the floor of Parliament that the edifices of the University for Environment and Sustainable Development must be completed at Somanya and Donkorkrom before building any other campuses as stipulated in the University for Environment and Sustainable Development Act, 2015 (Act 898).
He indicated that the establishment of the university’s main campus in Somanya must first be completed before making provision for another campus at Bunso.
Arguing on the motion on the floor, Mr Iddrisu pointed out that Section 3 of Act 898 must be respected by the Finance Committee, the President and other Members of Parliament.
“Article 58 in clause 2 of the Constitution says the executive authority of Ghana shall extend to the execution and maintenance of this Constitution and all laws made under or continued in force by this Constitution. I therefore add that 898 of the University Act is part of the laws of Ghana and must be respected as such”, he added.
In his objection, he reiterated that page two of the committee’s report in the components of the university, comprising of Department of Agronomy, Agribusiness, Animal Science and Food Production and Nutrition Science were not captured in the Act.
He added that he has no agenda of boycotting the decision of the establishment of a satellite campus of the university at Bunso but the Act that mandates the university’s establishment must be respected.
He cautioned that Finance and Education Ministers should avoid subjecting Parliament to emotive debate, which will tear the house apart in agreeing and disagreeing on the loan facility.
Mr Iddrisu revealed that there is no constituted governing council of the proposed university who will determine another satellite campus.
He conclude that the minority will respect every good policy of the government but the government must as well respect the academic freedom of the university which is underway.
Statutory basis of the establishment of the university campuses
Section 3 of the University for Environment and Sustainable Development Act, 2015 Act 898, states that “the University shall be established in Somanya with campuses in Donkorkrom and any other places as the Council may determine”
Source: GhanaJustice/S.Ayisi
