The Bolgatanga Technical University Management has responded to the university’s Concerned Staff petition to what they described as false allegations against the Chairman of the Governorning Council of the University, Dr. Bishop Akolgo, over the Chairman’s suitability under Section 5(1) of the
Technical Universities Act,2016(Act 922) and that this assertion is entirely without merit.
Exactly a week ago, the group calling itself concerned staff of the University held a media briefing to register certain concerns on the performance and stewardship of the governing Council’s Chairman and called on the president to remove the chairman based on their assertions of wrong doing by Dr. Bishop Akolgo.
Some of the grounds for the removal of the Council Chairman by the group includes the Unilateral Decisions without Council Consensus, Unhealthy Engagement with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission ( GTEC), Mission to Remove the Vice- Chancellor, Disregard for Due process and Established Procedures, Breakdown of Peace and Industrial Harmony and Wasteful Expenditure by the Council to Numerous Unproductive Meetings.
But in response to the above grounds of removal of the Chairman, the university’s management says these are false and that Dr. Bishop Akolgo is a well accomplished personality with high level of integrity and academic excellence throughout our his life.
“Two decisions in particular have been misrepresented and warrant specific
clarification:
First,the decision for the Vice-Chancellor to proceed on annual leave,for certain
compelling reasons,was taken collectively by the full Council at its meeting held on
Thursday 15th January 2026,and communicated to the University community by
circular on 19th January 2026.The Chairman did not act alone.
Second,the decision to suspend the Vice-Chancellor,Prof.Samuel Erasmus Alnaa,
pending investigation into alleged procurement breaches involving
GHc27,967,992.00 of GETFund grant was reached unanimously at an Emergency
Council meeting held on Friday,13th February 2026,and communicated by circular to the University Community,on Monday,16th February 2026.This too was a
collective decision of Council,not a unilateral act by the Chairman”, excerpts of the press release says.
Below is the full statement from the Bolgatanga Technical University Management
BOLGATANGA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
Post Office Box 767
Bolgatanga
U.E.R.-Ghana
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:23’February,2026
PRESS STATEMENT:
BOLGATANGA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT RESPONDS TO
FALSE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE GOVERNING COUNCIL CHAIRMAN
BY A PURPORTED“CONCERNED STAFF”.
Management of Bolgatanga Technical University has taken note of a petition
circulated by a group describing themselves as “concerned staff,”containing
allegations against the Chairman of the University’s Governing Council,Dr.Bishop
Akolgo.After careful review,Management wishes to set the records straight and
provide factual clarifications for the benefit of all stakeholders.
On the Qualifications and Competence of the Council Chairman
The petition questions Dr.Bishop Akolgo’s suitability under Section 5(1)of the
Technical Universities Act,2016(Act 922).This assertion is entirely without merit.
Dr.Akolgo is a highly accomplished Economist,Researcher,Trainer/Facilitator,
Monitoring/Evaluation Specialist and Development Specialist holding multiple
postgraduate degrees,including a Doctorate in Economics and Finance.He brings
over three decades of professional experience in research,economic policy analysis,
inclusive development,civil society leadership,and international development
programming -including recognised expertise in the fight against illicit financial
flows.He therefore,amply satisfies all statutory requirements for his role and is,in
every respect,well-suited to lead the Governing Council at this important stage of
the University’s development.
On the Nature and Legality of Council Decisions
The petition repeatedly characterizes Council decisions as unilateral acts of the
Chairman.This is factually incorrect.All decisions taken by the Governing Council
since its inauguration in July 2025 have been collective decisions,reached at lawfully
and properly convened meetings,duly recorded,and the major decisions
communicated through official channels to the University Community.
Two decisions in particular have been misrepresented and warrant specific
clarification:
First,the decision for the Vice-Chancellor to proceed on annual leave,for certain
compelling reasons,was taken collectively by the full Council at its meeting held on
Thursday 15th January 2026,and communicated to the University community by
circular on 19th January 2026.The Chairman did not act alone.
Second,the decision to suspend the Vice-Chancellor,Prof.Samuel Erasmus Alnaa,
pending investigation into alleged procurement breaches involving
GHc27,967,992.00 of GETFund grant was reached unanimously at an Emergency
Council meeting held on Friday,13th February 2026,and communicated by circular
to the University Community,on Monday,16th February 2026.This too was a
collective decision of Council,not a unilateral act by the Chairman.
Therefore,any characterization of these decisions as the personal actions of the
Chairman is not only false but constitutes a deliberate misrepresentation of the
University’s governance record.
On the Allegations of Administrative Overreach
The Governing Council,by law and by statute,exercises supervisory and strategic
authority over the University.However,it must be put on record that the Council
the chairman has never interfered with the day-to-day management of the University,
by directly issuing orders to academic and non-academic staff on managerial issues.
The only meeting that was held between the Chairman together with Management
and Deans as well as HoDs on 4 November,2025,was approved by Council at its
meeting held on 10th October,2026,and organised by Management of the University
with the express orders and active involvement of the Vice Chancellor.
On the Procurement Allegations against the Vice-Chancellor.
The suspension of the Vice-Chancellor is in response to serious concerns regarding
the irregular disbursement of GHt27,967,992.00 in GETFund grants by the Vice
Chancellor.This is a matter of public financial accountability that Council is
obligated to investigate Section 12(1&2)of the Technical Universities Act,
2016(Act 922)as amended and Statute 9(4)of the Bolgatanga Technical University
Statutes.
On the Rights and Responsibilities of Staff
Management affirms the right of all staff to raise legitimate grievances.However,
those grievances must be grounded on facts and pursued through the University’s
established internal mechanisms -including formal petitions and the grievance
procedures set out in the University’s Statutes.Resorting to public campaigns based on unverified and damaging claims undermines institutional stability,harms the
University’s reputation,and is inconsistent with the professional obligations of
academic and administrative staff.
Those who have authored or circulated these allegations should be aware that false
and defamatory statements carry legal consequences under both Ghanaian law and
the University’s own Statutes and policies.The University will not hesitate to pursue
all lawful remedies available to protect the integrity of its leadership and the
reputation of the institution.
Conclusion
Management wishes to state clearly that:
The allegations against the Governing Council Chairman,Dr.Bishop Akolgo,are
false in their entirety.The Governing Council and Management remain fully
confident in his leadership.All staff with legitimate concerns are welcome to submit
them through the appropriate institutional channels,where they will be addressed
fairly and in accordance with due process.
The University remains committed to transparency,accountability,good
governance,and the rule of law.We urge students,staff,partners,and the general
public to disregard the unsubstantiated claims in circulation and treat them with the
contempt that they deserve.
Please,anybody who needs further clarity on this press statement may contact
Vida Caroline Kurugu of the Public Affairs Directorate of the Bolgatanga Technical
University on 0246149354.
Issued by:Management,Bolgatanga Technical University.
Cc:
The Hon.Minister for Education,Ministry of Education,Accra.
The Hon.Attorney-General and Minister for Justice,Accra.
The Upper East Regional Minister,Bolgatanga.
The Director-General,Ghana Tertiary Education Commission(GTEC), Accra.
The Executive Secretary,National Labour Commission,Accra.
The Chairman,Vice Chancellors of Technical Universities,Ghana.