UPSA Defends Legitimacy of New Vice-Chancellor's Appointment Amid Legal Challenge

The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has publicly defended its decision to proceed with the swearing-in of its newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, despite ongoing reports about a legal dispute attempting to halt the ceremony. In a statement issued in response to questions from the Chancellor, Dr. K.K. Sarpong, the UPSA Registrar clarified that the institution had not been formally served with any legal writs, documents, or applications for an injunction relating to the investiture event.

The controversy arose from claims that a lawsuit had been filed challenging Prof. Mawutor’s qualifications to take up the Vice-Chancellor role. According to media reports, an interlocutory injunction had been sought to prevent the investiture ceremony from taking place, citing concerns about his eligibility. However, the UPSA Registrar firmly rejected these claims, stating that the university had not received any formal court orders or legal documents concerning the matter.

In the statement, the Registrar emphasized: “I must clarify unequivocally that the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has not been served with any writ, legal document, or communication of any kind. Consequently, no application for an interlocutory injunction against the university has been received.” The Registrar further explained that despite the media reports, no formal action had been taken to block the ceremony. The university’s legal team had advised the management that media speculation about a potential writ, in the absence of an official court order, could not be relied upon to halt the investiture.

As such, the university proceeded with the swearing-in of Prof. Mawutor in full accordance with the provisions of UPSA Act 850. The ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, with the Deputy Minister of Education representing the President to administer the oath of office to the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor. The event went forward without any legal barriers, as no injunction or court order had been issued to prevent it.

The university’s leadership has stated that they are confident the process was conducted lawfully and within the boundaries of the university’s regulations. The swearing-in ceremony was organized in strict adherence to the legal framework governing the university, with all steps taken to ensure that the process followed due procedure. The fact that the university had not been served with any legal documents reaffirmed their belief that the investiture was not only legitimate but also legally sound.

In addition, the university expressed their commitment to upholding the highest standards of governance and transparency throughout the process. The UPSA leadership also reiterated that the institution had followed due diligence in the selection and appointment of Prof. Mawutor, and they remained confident that his appointment would contribute positively to the continued success and growth of the university.

Despite the legal dispute surrounding Prof. Mawutor’s appointment, the university has remained steadfast in its decision to proceed with the investiture. The UPSA management views the legal challenge as an isolated incident and is focused on ensuring that the university’s operations and academic activities continue without interruption. They also urged the public to disregard media speculation and to focus on the factual information surrounding the case.

By continuing with the swearing-in ceremony as planned, UPSA has reaffirmed its confidence in the legitimacy of Prof. Mawutor’s appointment and his ability to lead the university moving forward. The university expressed its hope that any misunderstandings or legal concerns would be resolved promptly, allowing Prof. Mawutor to focus on the critical work of advancing UPSA’s mission and goals.

In conclusion, the University of Professional Studies, Accra, has made it clear that it acted within the law and followed all appropriate procedures in the appointment of its new Vice-Chancellor. The institution is confident that it will be able to navigate any further legal challenges and continue to thrive as an academic institution.