Leadership changes at Dambai College of Education in the Oti Region have triggered a multi-pronged institutional dispute involving national teacher unions, campus governance rules, and local youth representatives. The institution announced that Professor Inusah Hussein would take over as Principal and Dr. Fred Alpha Adams as Vice Principal, a move intended to steer academic development and teacher training according to reporting from GNA. Yet those appointments immediately encountered opposition from educators who argue the selection process breached established regulatory frameworks.
By Kingsley Mamore Dambai (O/R), July 25, GNA – Dambai College of Education (DACE) announced the appointment of Professor Inusah Hussein as the new Principal and Dr Fred Alpha Adams as Vice Principal. This ushers in a new era of leadership aimed at strengthening academic excellence, innovation and institutional growth. The appointments are expected to enhance the College’s strategic direction and reinforce its mandate of producing competent and professional teachers to support Ghana’s education sector. The new management team is anticipated to provide visionary leadership by promoting quality teaching, research, innovation and effective administration while positioning the College as one of the leading teacher education institutions in the country. Stakeholders, including members of the College community and education sector observers, have welcomed the appointments, describing them as timely and significant for the continued transformation of the institution. They expressed confidence that Professor Hussein and Dr Adams possess the experience, competence and leadership qualities required to consolidate the gains made by the College and steer it towards greater academic and institutional achievements. The stakeholders also commended the Minister for Education, Mr Haruna Iddrisu and the Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, for their commitment to strengthening governance, leadership and policy implementation in Ghana’s tertiary education sector. They noted that effective collaboration between government agencies and tertiary institutions remained essential in improving the quality of teacher education and expanding opportunities for academic excellence. Appreciation was further extended to the Governing Council of Dambai College of Education and the Search Committee for conducting what stakeholders described as a transparent and credible process that led to the appointment of the new Principal.
CETAG Challenges Vice Principal Appointment Under Harmonised Statutes
The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana formally called on the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to revoke the appointment of Dr. Adams to the Vice Principal role. In an open letter dated March 16, 2026, the teacher educators argued that placing a Senior Assistant Librarian in the post violated academic governance standards.
The Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has called on the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to revoke the appointment of a Senior Assistant Librarian as Acting Vice Principal of Dambai College of Education, arguing that the decision violates academic governance rules. In an open letter dated Monday, March 16, 2026, CETAG said the appointment of Dr. Fred Alpha Adams to the position is inconsistent with the Harmonised Statutes governing Colleges of Education and the post-migration guidelines issued by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). According to the teacher educators’ association, the office of Vice Principal is an academic leadership role that must be occupied by a qualified member of the academic staff within the recognised academic progression ladder. “The appointment of a Senior Assistant Librarian as Acting Vice Principal is inconsistent with Statute 12(2) of the Harmonised Statutes, the Harmonised Scheme of Service, the GTEC Post-Migration Guidelines, and established practice across Ghana’s public universities,” CETAG said.
The union contended that the vacancy emerged after the prior Vice Principal’s tenure expired in December 2025. Because that departure date was foreseeable, CETAG argued the opening did not qualify as a casual vacancy. Under the Harmonised Statutes, the Principal is required to nominate two academic Senior Staff A members for convocation election and governing council appointment. Furthermore, GTEC guidelines suggest the role should be held by a professor or at least a senior lecturer, leaving no provision for non-teaching staff to act in this capacity according to union statements.
Youth Group Protests and Conditions for Principal’s Return
While teacher unions challenged the statutory basis of the administrative choices, a regional youth group raised separate demands concerning campus leadership and administrative accountability.
The Governing Council of Dambai College of Education (DCE) recently met with representatives of the youth group amid ongoing tensions over the return of the college principal. Efforts to facilitate the return of Principal Dr. Benedicta Awusi Atiku have encountered a stumbling block, as the youth insist that an indigene be appointed as Vice Principal. They are also demanding a thorough investigation into all allegations against the principal before she resumes her duties. During the meeting, the council asked the youth to remove red bands blocking the college entrance, citing concerns that the obstruction created a negative atmosphere for the institution and complicated the principal’s return while their demands remain unresolved.
The youth coalition blocked the college entrance with red bands to protest the principal’s resumption of duties before specific grievances were addressed.
- The appointment of Dr. Adams Alpha as Vice Principal
- The continuation of his convention centre project
- The issuance of a press statement announcing an independent investigation into allegations against the principal
Johnathan Akpabe, spokesperson for the youth wing, outlined three conditions that must be met before the principal can resume office: If the council fails to meet these conditions, we will not permit the principal to return to the college,
Mr. Akpabe warned.
Group secretary Daniel Bamease rejected suggestions that their demands stemmed from tribal bias, noting that the organization includes members from various tribes across the Oti Region. Krachi East constituency loves everyone and is ready to work with stakeholders and leaders who aim to promote development in the area,
he said, adding that the constituency has a Member of Parliament who has served for over 16 years despite not being an indigene. Richard Dunugune, speaking on behalf of the youth group, appealed to the DCE governing council and other tertiary education oversight bodies to approve Dr. Adams Alpha.
Governing Council Response and Institutional Stakes
Amid overlapping disputes from educators and local advocates, university oversight representatives pledged to navigate the administrative deadlock. Whether the Ministry of Education or GTEC will intervene to resolve CETAG’s regulatory objections and the youth coalition’s operational demands remains uncertain as the college attempts to settle its management structure.
