“You can have your freedom of speech, but freedom after speech I cannot guarantee”, and so the famous Iddi Amin proverb reads, funny isn’t it? Well as to whether or not he actually said that, nobody knows.But it appears Legon might have found their own Iddi Amin in the shape of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, at least that’s what the Herald Newspaper says. And so don’t be surprised one of these days when you hear a replica of the above Iddi Amin proverbs that says, “You can have the freedom to demolish my toll both but freedom of entry after demolishing I cannot guarantee”.
This is actually the situation happening in the UG now. The University has now introduced or re-introduced as some would have us say because they believe it something that has been there all this while, a policy that seek to restrict access and entry of motorists into the University campus. Well it appears these days the Vice Chancellor is really making the news but unfortunately for the bad reasons.
The draconian policies are really getting the better of the general public. First it was an illegal and discriminatory tollbooth system and thankfully to the National Security Coordinator (may his actions be condemned though) the structure was demolished and then subsequently we all heard that the government has promised to refund the loan the University used to construct the road. So we thought it was all over. But the rather controversial VC would have none of that, he turns round and slaps the whole thing back in our face but this time with a different name and approach.
I have heard some say he doesn’t take such decisions alone and it’s a council decision. Fair enough but it is obvious he is leader of the University and so it is absolutely fair when we want to criticize him on that. The reasons given for this policy as we are told is that, the University wants to reduce vehicular movement on campus, ensure security and promote a more serene atmosphere for academic work. But I am afraid that cannot be the case. Fact is, this policy doesn’t really intend to control anything be it traffic or security because should everybody decide to pay the rather ridiculous amount involved, then of course nothing changes. I believe it is just a smart attempt by the University to re-introduce a new road user fee mechanism, this time not with tollbooth, so that we would wake up one day to see it demolished by some National Securities apparatchiks.
Funny enough I have heard people liken this to the current health insurance system operating here in Ghana. Prior to this system, there used to be what we called the ’cash and carry system’, where you paid money every time you visited the hospital but now all you need to do is pay a premium amount and you are covered for a whole year. That’s exactly what Legon Iddi Amin is doing. It used to tolls fees (u pay, you enter), now you pay for the whole year before you enter. Smart isn’t he?
I really do not like repeating the Iddi Amin name you know, but when it is that you implement such a ridiculous and rather discriminatory policy and also make it seem like you are smarter than everybody, then of course you force me to keep referring to you as Iddi Amin. Discriminatory because, just like the unsuccessful toll charges, University workers and lecturers alike were exempted and students had to fully bear the brunt. Now University workers and lecturers are exempted again, while students are being asked to buy the stickers that would allow them entry at any point, even though at reduced fee. Fact is reduced or not, that is very unfair. Where lays the logic, between students who pay school fees, development levies and all other ridiculous –but- not -talked -about -fees and University lecturers and workers who have their money already, get salaries and allowances some of which are from these fees students pay, who should really pay before he gets access to the University? In any case are students not stakeholders of the University community? Why should we be subjected to such discrimination? Why should we pay and somebody else not? The case is even worse for some of us who don’t have cars because what it means is that commercial drivers would only have to increase their charges and they are good to go. In the long run, we would be the ones bearing the full cost.
Away from all that, another issue that goes to really define how autocratic the VC can be, hence his name Iddi Amin is the idea of introducing biometric gates in the various halls starting from the Commonwealth Hall (of course he knows if he succeeds there, he would everywhere but trust the Vandals to oppose). The argument he makes, at least that’s what am told, is that he wants to promote security. Such concern for our safety is admirable I must say but then it all comes down to priorities. The last I checked, biometric machines run on electricity. So when lights run out and on like nobody’s business to the extent that evening lectures always have to end abruptly anytime the lights go out, then how possibly should anyone put biometric gates first over securing reliable electricity. Besides I doubt if biometric gates alone can magically ensure security. The real security issues have nothing to do with biometric gates. I advice he seeks advice from Gbevlo Lartey.
The serious water issues and the fact that I would have to leave my hall or room and walk far away to my department and elsewhere in order to access Wifi internet services etc are equally worrying. So when you have a Vice Chancellor who overlooks all these and want to implement biometric gates, and want his decisions to be regarded as gospel free from any opposition then you wouldn’t be surprised if the likes of Herald Newspaper give him the title of Legon Iddi Amin.
Actually I would not encourage that name for him, I mean Legon Iddi Amin but if he keeps exhibiting such autocratic tendencies and continues to blatantly disregard the views of the general public on such issues that affect a large number of people because he is the Vice Chancellor of Legon, then am afraid there is nothing I can do……………. Or better still yes!!!!! I can do something, I would say; “It serves him right”
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