A concerned group at the University of Cape Coast has called on government to immediately investigation alleged unapproved expenditure by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong.
The group which pleaded anonymity, also wants a “full-disclosure of the questionable expenses of the Vice-Chancellor.”
We will not tolerate the misuse of funds that undermines our shared mission of
education and research, it said in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency.
According to the group, the Vice-Chancellor spent two million Ghana Cedis on foreign trips at the expense of the welfare of students and faculty of
the University.
Our painstaking investigations have revealed that he traveled more than 20 times between February, 2022 and December, 2023.
The investigations uncovered an
amount of $75,000. 00 on per diem alone and over GHc 600,000.00 on air tickets as evidenced by receipt from Global Wings and Tours Limited. This is over 268% more than the budgeted amount for the year 2022.
On one of his travels on 22nd
December, 2023, his air ticket alone cost GHc 118,267.00.
What makes the situation murkier is the fact that the Vice-Chancellor approves
the travels himself without recourse to Council.
“The Governing Council which
was supposed to hold him in check either neglected its duties or was
compromised.
Many are calling for his head and that of the then Council Chair
and Members for breach of duty.”
These expenses have caused widespread outrage among faculty, staff, and students,the group said.
“The Vice-Chancellor’s lack of fiscal responsibility has undermined the
university’s financial stability and eroded public trust.
It is strange that a University that struggles to pay its utility bills, accommodate students and pay
lecturers would condone such lavish expenses by one man who has not brought any grants during his four year tenure but strangely illegally lobbied for a 2-year extension that overlaps his 60th birthday.”
As the university’s highest-ranking official, the Vice-Chancellor has a legal
obligation to act in the institution’s best interests, the group said.
He has thus breached his fiduciary duty. Already some Alumni are preparing to go to the law court to seek
legal redress over the unlawful extension of his term of office beyond his 60th
Birthday in clear violation of the Constitution of Ghana as the previous Council.
Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong did not pick calls on both his Telecel number 020******8 and MTN number 054******7.
He did not also reply WhatsApp messages sent to him on the matter.
GNA
SOF
15 April 2024
