The University of Ghana’s Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Rosina Kyeremanten, has refuted allegations made by the UG SRC Electoral Commission of having an interest in certain candidates in the ongoing 2024 SRC election.
These allegations, presented in a document dated August 2, 2024, suggested that the Dean influenced the rescheduling of the vetting process to favor specific aspirants, disregarding the EC’s recommendations. The vetting ultimately proceeded on August 3, 2024, without the EC’s approval.
In an interview with Campus Exclusive, Professor Kyeremanten refuted these claims, stating that she has no particular interest in any candidate.
“These are baseless allegations. Between the Electoral Commissioner, myself, and my office, including the Vice Dean, everyone knows we have been very transparent with the election process. Actually, I was very surprised to see that letter because we have been working cordially with the electoral commissioner and we haven’t had any issues. So, us in the Dean’s office we were quite surprised at the allegations leveled against my person”
She explained that the change in the vetting date was due to the unavailability of some panelists on August 2.
“Prior to the event that happened on Saturday and Sunday, the EC had given the aspirants a date for the vetting, and because of previous incidents that had happened, we decided to go to the University Legon police for extra security. The police suggested 11th August which the University calendar will be in the middle of examinations and we did not want to carry the aspirants into the exams week. So VC Dean, EC, and myself had a meeting and the consensus was that let’s do it quickly before we start the exams. So it was agreed on and a letter was written to that effect”
She clarified that the EC was part of the consensus but showed minimal interest in the decision-making process.
“Senior members were sitting as observers, and will help with the process and we can finish this. While we were all talking to him, the EC walked out of the meeting. My office staff was there, the Vice Dean was there, Aspirants were all there. I think it was just one or two of the Aspirants who didn’t turn up but they were all there so that is what happened”
She reiterated that her office does not intend to interfere with the SRC electoral process. However, she mentioned that if the EC fails to perform its duties effectively, there are provisions in the SRC constitution for replacing the Electoral Commissioner.
“We will not take over, it is not our business to take over the duties of the EC. But the same SRC constitution, says if the Electoral Commissioner does not carry out his duties well, there is a way to have him replaced. There are other two commissioners, he is just the chairperson of the commission. So there are processes that will be followed.”
Story by: Mabel Antwi | univers.ug.edu.gh
