Social commentator Stanley Abopam has questioned the decision to deny Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa and two other senior officers access to their offices after a High Court quashed the decisions that removed them from their positions, raising questions about the implementation of the judgment amid ongoing legal proceedings.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Mr Abopam said the university’s handling of the matter raises questions about compliance with court processes, particularly the distinction between filing an application for a stay of execution and obtaining an order granting the stay.
The Bolgatanga High Court, on September 24, 2026, quashed the decisions of the University Governing Council after finding that the Council lacked the required quorum and that the Special Investigative Committee established to investigate the officers was illegally constituted.
Reports say Professor Alnaa indicated that the university officials declined to hand over their keys, citing legal advice following the filing of a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution.
Mr Abopam said his understanding was that the university had been served with the entry of judgment, while the Council Chairman, Dr Bishop Akolgo Amigya-Bia, had initiated separate legal processes.
He argued that the filing of an appeal or an application for a stay does not, by itself, establish that execution of a judgment has been suspended. The legal effect of any subsequent court order remains central to determining the parties’ obligations.
The dispute dates back to December 2025, when the Council directed Professor Alnaa to proceed on accumulated annual leave for one year, citing the need for reflection, reconciliation and the restoration of confidence within the university.
In February 2026, the Council established a five-member investigative committee to examine allegations involving a GH¢27.97 million GETFund-financed procurement contract awarded to M-Business Services Limited in April 2024 and the alleged unauthorised disposal of 866 items of university furniture.
The Council subsequently relied on the committee’s findings to terminate Professor Alnaa’s appointment, effective June 11, 2026, while the two other officers were sanctioned.
The allegations that prompted the investigation remain distinct from the High Court’s findings on the legality of the procedures used by the Council.
Mr Abopam has urged the parties to resolve the impasse, arguing that prolonged disagreements over leadership and governance could undermine the university’s reputation and its contribution to development in the Upper East Region.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com| 102.7 MHz| Bolgatanga
