A youth group in the Oti Region has called on the appropriate authorities to institute an immediate investigation into allegations of mismanagement levelled against the Principal of Dambai College of Education, Dr. Mrs. Benedicta Atiku.
The call followed a peaceful demonstration by the youth through the principal streets of Dambai. They accuse the principal of misappropriating college property, including furniture and other logistics supplied to the institution since 2023.
According to the group, some of the items were allegedly transported to a private residence said to belong to Dr. Atiku and her associates.
Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, the Youth President for Nchumuru, Abraham Amoah, alleged that the college made a partial payment of GH₵50,000 for the furniture only after public concerns were raised over the missing items.
He further claimed that the principal had opened an unauthorized bank account in the name of the college, which has neither undergone internal nor external audits. This, he said, has raised serious questions about the management of funds from the sandwich programme.
The youth also accuse Dr. Atiku of favoritism and cronyism in appointments, recruitment processes, and tenure extensions, alleging that qualified indigenes had been removed from leadership positions to make way for non-indigenes and close associates who allegedly benefited from unconstitutional tenure extensions.
Additionally, the group claimed that the principal had shown disrespect towards traditional authorities and residents of the area, alleging that she had openly stated her unwillingness to work with natives of the community as Vice Principal.
According to the youth, such conduct undermines community relations and erodes the collaborative spirit required for effective leadership of the institution.
The group is demanding that Dr. Atiku be asked to step aside temporarily to allow for a thorough and impartial investigation.
Some residents have gone further to call for her immediate removal, citing what they describe as persistent disrespect to the community and the alleged denial of admission quotas to local indigenes.
Attempts by the group to present their petition directly to the management of the college were unsuccessful. The petition was later submitted to the Oti Regional Coordinating Council and the Krachi Municipal Assembly for the necessary action.
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