Vice Chancellor of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), Prof Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, has opined that the government should review how it funds academic research in Ghana.
Speaking to the media after a public lecture at Wa, Prof Kwansah-Aidoo said the government should allocate funds for specific research works instead of paying the usual Book and Research Allowance (BRA) at the end of every year.
He said this will ensure accountability in the funds.
“The way we find academic research can be done better. Instead of giving money to people at the end of the year, for example, it should be made in such a way that people should apply for some kind of funding to use it for specific research. Then, they must show the outcome of the research through publications and reports so that there is enough accountability in the monies that are being received. For now, we get the money, and I don’t even know what we do with it, but we still publish. In some way, there are people who sit there for three years, and they haven’t published, but they have received Books and Research Allowance. So where is the money going to?” he questioned.
His comments, however, did not sit well with the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
The group has subsequently condemned the remarks and has asked Prof Kwansah-Aidoofor to apologise.
In a statement signed by the National Secretary of UTAG, Eliasu Mumuni, the association expressed “profound disappointment” in Prof Kwansah-Aidoo’s “sneering remarks”.
According to UTAG, it is disheartening to note that such remarks were made with a limited understanding of the Book and Research Allowance.
“His statement that he does not know what academics do with the BRA is condescending, distasteful, and pretentious, to say the least,” the statement said.
According to UTAG, the BRA has been crucial in supporting the professional development of academics.
Below is the full statement from UTAG