Volta Youth demands UHAS to withdraw honorary doctorate for Akufo-Addo

The Volta Regional Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed strong opposition to the University of Health and Allied Sciences’ (UHAS) decision to confer an honorary doctorate on President Akufo-Addo.

In a statement, Mathias Johnson Alagbo, the Volta Regional Youth Organizer, emphasized the youth wing’s frustration and disappointment with the decision, describing it as “undeserved” and “unacceptable”.

According to Alagbo, it is infuriating that UHAS would even consider honouring a leader whose policies and actions have profoundly undermined the welfare and development of the Volta region and the nation.

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The youth wing highlighted the origins of UHAS, established under the Mills-Mahama-led NDC administration, which provided the vision, resources, and initial development of the university.

The statement also took issue with claims by UHAS authorities about the current administration securing funding for the China Phase II project, stating that the groundwork for continuous funding through Chinese grants was laid by President Mills before the university’s first phase of construction.

The youth wing challenged the current administration to demonstrate any significant contributions they have made to UHAS since President Akufo-Addo took office.

Furthermore, Alagbo criticized the government for failing to provide financial clearance for employing lecturers and staff at the university and for abandoning university roads started by the NDC.

The statement also pointed to broader issues of neglect in the Volta Region, such as stalled infrastructure projects like the Ho-Aflao roads and a general lack of development support from the current government.

“This honorary degree proposal is a blatantly partisan move,” Alagbo said, adding that UHAS, as an esteemed academic institution, must remain neutral and avoid political controversies.

The youth wing is of the view  that awarding this degree would tarnish UHAS’s reputation and send a dangerous message endorsing the current administration’s “numerous failings and misdeeds”, including economic mismanagement and grand corruption.

The Volta Regional Youth Wing is calling on the UHAS community, alumni, and stakeholders to oppose the conferment.

“We forcefully urge the Vice Chancellor and the UHAS Council to withdraw this proposed conferment immediately,” Alagbo stated.

Failure to heed this demand would lead to lawful and democratic actions, including massive and sustained demonstrations against the university management.

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