Samuel Erasmus Alnaa denied office entry at Bolgatanga Technical University

Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa, the Vice-Chancellor of Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU), was reportedly prevented from accessing his office this week despite a High Court ruling ordering his reinstatement. Professor Alnaa, accompanied by two other university officials whose appointments were also part of a recent legal dispute, found their offices locked and their keys withheld by the institution's administration upon arrival at the campus.

The denial of access is the latest development in a protracted legal battle between the Vice-Chancellor and the University Council. The Council had previously moved to place Alnaa on leave and subsequently terminated his appointment, but these decisions were later declared invalid by the High Court. When the officials returned to work to resume their duties as per the judicial directive, they were informed that the university would not comply with the order at this time, citing a pending appeal against the court's judgment.

Professor Alnaa has expressed deep concern over the university administration's refusal to respect the judicial process. He noted that the ongoing friction and the physical barring of leadership from their offices are creating an unstable and negative academic environment. He emphasized that the primary victims of such administrative instability and the resulting leadership vacuum are the students and the institutional reputation of the university.

The standoff highlights deepening tensions within the governance structure of Bolgatanga Technical University. As the University Council pursues its legal challenge through the appeals process, the status of the institution’s top leadership remains in flux. The final resolution of this legal dispute will be critical in determining whether Alnaa will be allowed to fully exercise his mandate or if the leadership deadlock will continue through further litigation.