The Principal of St Vincent College of Education in Yendi, Professor Jonas Kwabla Fiadzawoo, has resigned amidst ongoing controversy surrounding his appointment.
His decision, which he communicated to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) in a letter dated January 16, 2025, comes after significant opposition from the college community and the Dagbon Traditional Council.
Citing Community Concerns
In his resignation letter to GTEC’s Director-General, Prof. Fiadzawoo said the resistance to his appointment made it clear that his leadership did not align with the aspirations of the college.
“My vision was to spearhead the infrastructural development of the college to enhance teaching and learning, but recent events indicate that my selection does not reflect the aspirations of the college,” he stated, adding that he prioritized respecting the views of the community for the greater good of the institution.
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Prof. Fiadzawoo, a Senior Lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS), had only been in office since November 27, 2024.
However, his tenure was met with fierce protests, culminating in the closure of the college.
Dagbon Overlord’s Intervention
The controversy escalated on January 13, 2025, when the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari II, ordered the closure of the college.
The decision followed dissatisfaction over the governing board’s choice to appoint an external candidate despite the Overlord’s appeal to prioritize local applicants.
According to the Dagbon Traditional Council, the King had urged the board to address long-standing perceptions of marginalization by considering qualified indigenes for the principal role.
However, the council claimed the board disregarded this recommendation.
The Registrar of the Dagbon Traditional Council, Alhassan Abdul-Fataw, explained that the King’s intervention came after discovering that interviews for the vacancy had already commenced.
“Since the establishment of the college, no Dagomba or indigene has ever been appointed as principal.
The King’s appeal aimed to counter the impression that local candidates were overlooked, but this was ignored,” he said.
Tensions Lead to College Closure
The controversy over the appointment led to heightened tensions within the community.
Offices on the college campus were locked, and staff and management were instructed to vacate the premises until the matter could be resolved.
The situation underscored broader frustrations over representation in leadership positions, with community members voicing concerns that local expertise was being sidelined.
The Road Ahead
Prof. Fiadzawoo’s resignation marks a turning point in the crisis, potentially paving the way for a resolution.
However, the college’s future leadership remains uncertain, as stakeholders continue to deliberate on a path forward that addresses the concerns of both the governing board and the local community.
The incident highlights the importance of inclusive governance and the need for collaborative decision-making to avoid similar disputes in the future.
