Three groups in Sunyani – the Sunyani Youth Development Association, Sunyani for Development Association and Bonoman Institute – have petitioned the Bono Regional Office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) over the alleged discriminatory and unfair treatment of Dr Mrs Vida Korang, over the appointment of a new principal for the Berekum College of Education.
Addressing a news conference in Sunyani, the spokesperson for the groups, Mr. Atta Akoto Snr., wondered why Dr. Mrs Vida Korang, a Senior Lecturer at the Catholic University of Ghana, who scored the highest marks in the interview to select a new principal for the college, had been denied the opportunity to head the only public college of education in the region.
“We have petitioned the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the matter, as the decision by the governing council not to appoint Dr Mrs Vida Korang is an affront to fairness and a heavy dent on Ghana’s quest to achieve Gender Equality (Goal 5) and Inequality (Goal 10) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said.
Details of the petition, signed by Atta Akoto Snr (President, SYDA), Nana Sakyi Akomea (Secretary) and Ansu Gyeabour (PRO of Bonoman Institute) explained that Dr Korang applied for the vacant principal of the college position when it was advertised in December 2022.
At the end of the interview process, the search committee approved and presented two applicants, Dr Mrs. Vida Korang and Mr. Sylvester Donkor, for consideration.
According to the petitioners, the action by the governing council was also in breach of Article 17 (1) (2) (3) and 296 of the 1992 constitution of Ghana.
The petitioners, therefore, want CHRAJ to declare the action of the council discriminatory and unfair, and erred in its decision not to give the position to Dr. Mrs. Vida Korang.
The petitioners also want an order to the council to review its decision for the appointment of the current principal and appoint a new one based on merit, non-discriminatory, fairness and non-subjective in accordance with the laws and the development agenda of Ghana.
Mr. Atta Akoto said that elevating Dr. Mrs. Korang to that high office will go a long way to motivate more females to aspire to greater heights and, therefore, called on the Bono Regional Minister, Madam Justina Owusu Banahene, to intervene and ensure that the right things are done.
RESPONSE
Responding to the petitioners, the college council chairman, Mr. Kwadjo Adjei Darko confirmed that Dr Korang had the highest score of 71 marks, as compared to 70 marks obtained by Mr Donkor, who was the Vice Principal of the Fosu College of Education.
He said Mr Donkor was chosen as the Principal of the Berekum College of Education because Dr Korang is from a private university, saying that picking her will require financial clearance before moving her onto the public sector payroll.
Mr Darko noted that “Every interview is subjective, and Dr Korang’s research output is low compared to Mr Donkor,” and the council considered all these factors.
“Why do we give ourselves that problem when there is only one mark difference between the two (candidates) and Mr Donkor has a high research output,” the college council chairman said.
But the petitioners contend that the chairman’s view is an afterthought and the reasons assigned after a structured interview “cannot stand any test.”
The groups have also petitioned and copied the Chief Justice, Minister for Gender and Social Protection, Minister for Education and President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs.
