By Kingsley Mamore
Dambai (O/R), Dec 31, GNA – Hundreds of Abuamang-Acha Aberor youth in Dambai, alongside the National Association of Nchumurus and community members, staged a march against Dr. Benedicta Awusi Atiku, Principal of Dambai College of Education, over alleged favouritism and cronyism.
The demonstrators, drawn from the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region, accused the principal of practices they said had undermined the integrity of the institution.
The protest followed the submission of a detailed petition outlining allegations that the Principal had manipulated admissions, staff appointments and resource distribution to benefit a personal network at the expense of qualified residents.
Mr Abraham Kwame Amoah, National President of the Nchumurus Association, who read the petition, alleged that the Principal had sidelined the College’s statutory admissions board and assumed direct control over student selection. He claimed this was done to favour applicants from her hometown and other non-local schools, in violation of the 35 per cent local quota policy.
In terms of staffing, the petition alleged widespread nepotism, claiming that the Principal had extended tenures and appointed more than 10 relatives to key positions, while indigenous staff were reportedly confined to menial roles.
According to the petition, native employees were said to constitute only about nine per cent of the College’s workforce, a situation the petitioners described as a serious imbalance that had fuelled perceptions of ethical bias.
The petition further alleged that the Principal had made disparaging remarks about local authorities, thereby undermining community trust and the collaborative spirit required for effective institutional leadership.
The petitioners demanded that Dr (Mrs) Atiku temporarily step aside to allow for an independent investigation into the alleged admission irregularities and nepotistic practices. They also called for transparency, accountability and reforms to restore public confidence in the governance of the College.
Clad in black and red attire, the demonstrators first attempted to submit the petition at the College, but were unable to do so as the Principal’s office was reportedly closed. They then marched to the Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC), where they presented the petition to Mr Sulemana Abdul Mumuni, a Presidential Staffer, on behalf of the Regional Minister.
Mr Abdul Mumuni assured the protesters that the Oti Regional Minister, Mr John Kwadwo Gyapong, would escalate the matter to the appropriate authorities.
The group later proceeded to the Krachi East Municipal Assembly, where a copy of the petition was presented to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Safo Nketia.
The MCE assured the demonstrators that their concerns would be addressed, stressing the need for a peaceful and fair resolution to maintain harmony within the community.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Audrey Dekalu