Following accusations by the Sumbrungu Youth and Development Association (SUYDA) that the Vice-Chancellor of Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU), Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa, has disregarded mutual respect between the institution and the Sumbrungu community, the youth are demanding his immediate removal from office.
In response, Professor Alnaa has dismissed the allegations and expressed shock over the claims made against him.
“The third thing—that I am disrespecting or disregarding traditional authorities—is unfortunate,” he stated. “That my actions are seen as disrespectful, I can’t even fathom. I’m a traditionalist. I should be the first to uphold traditional values and respect for traditional leaders. So, for me to be accused of this, I find it very disturbing.”
During a protest in the Sumbrungu community, the youth presented a petition to the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Donatus Akamugri Atanga. In the petition, SUYDA accused Prof. Alnaa of four major issues.
According to the youth, led by Mr. Albert Adongo, the first issue is the alleged abrogation of the Sumbrungu-Agusi land agreement by Prof. Alnaa after assuming office as Acting Rector and later as Vice-Chancellor.
Secondly, they accused the university management of poor sanitation practices. According to the petition, an open, filthy gutter runs through the university campus into the Sumbrungu community, posing serious health risks to residents.
The third allegation is that Prof. Alnaa disrespects traditional leaders—chiefs and elders—by refusing to consult them on matters related to the university’s programs and employment opportunities.
The fourth concern raised by the youth is the alleged failure of the university, under Prof. Alnaa’s leadership, to prioritize Sumbrungu residents for low-ranking jobs such as cleaners, security personnel, and labourers, as was reportedly agreed at the inception of the institution. According to SUYDA, only 17 out of over 70 individuals employed in such roles are from the community—an imbalance they described as “unfair and a betrayal of trust.”
Their major demands include employment equity, a sanitation emergency plan, fair land compensation, management reforms, and the immediate removal of Prof. Alnaa as Vice-Chancellor to restore trust and accountability.
But in response, Prof. Alnaa stated that he has always worked in the best interests of both the university and the community. He expressed disappointment at the call for his removal but remained resolute.
“They say they want my head—the V.C. must be removed. Well, as a leader, your head is always on the chopping board,” he said. “So I submit my head on the chopping board; they should bring their axe and chop the head.”
Regarding the claim that only 17 out of 70 low-ranking staff are from Sumbrungu, a senior staff member of BTU, Mr. Stanley Abopam, challenged the figures.
According to Mr. Abopam, “Out of 25 cleaners, 11 are from the Sumbrungu community. For security, 8 out of 16 are from Sumbrungu, and among 7 labourers, 4 are from the community.” He argued that these figures contradict the youth’s claims.
Upon receiving the petition, Regional Minister Hon. Donatus Akamugri Atanga called for calm and assured the youth that he would engage university management on the matter, stating that the concerns raised were new to him.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
