A Professor at the University of Ghana, Prof. Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua says the Public University Bill (PUB) in its present form is unconstitutional and unnecessary to the existence of public universities.

He said "there is nothing good about it" because the bill as it stands has been opposed.

"Initially we have opposed it on three grounds, the fact that it is unconstitutional, the fact that it is unnecessary and the fact that it will create and affect bureaucratic processes that will slow down the effective functions of the universities.”

Condemning the bill, the Professor indicated that, the PUB which is yet to be passed as a law is being rushed through without seeking any consultation from stakeholders for an amendment of the bill.

“University of Ghana stood out and said that we are totally opposed to the bill and it shouldn’t be passed in any shape or form… and so as it stands everything was rushed through and therefore the Bill is as what government wants it to be.”   

His comment comes on the heels of parliament's approval of the Public University Bill at the second reading stage on Tuesday.

The bill which was withdrawn and re-laid in parliament after concerns were raised by UTAG on the unconstitutionality of the Bill and its attendant negative effect on public tertiary education in Ghana.

Meanwhile, Mr Appiagyei-Atua stated that the bill was presented again to parliament without any majority changes.

He also indicated that the bill intends to give the President the power to dissolve the University Council which will now have the power to appoint a chancellor.

According to him, the provision of the bill is contrary to the 1952 constitution.

The professor also intimated that the bill if implemented will affect admission processes, stating that the bill would allow government to admit students.

 “The memorandum specifically states that the flagship program of the government which is the free senior high schools program is supposed to open way for access to a broader number of students to attend. Therefore, we see a link there that the government may end up controlling admissions to universities and which will, therefore, dilute the quality of student who will be qualified to come to the university.”

“The university should have the power to admit its own people to the university based on its own criteria,” he emphasized.