Bolgatanga Nurses College Principal Debunks Funds Misuse Allegations

The Principal of the Bolgatanga Nursing Training College, Awalu Bawa, has debunked accusations leveled against him by the tutors of the school over misappropriation of funds. 

According to him, since he took over as the principal of the school in January 2016 has been putting pragmatic measures in place to improve the living conditions of students and tutors of the school. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana’s Samuel Ayammah about the decision of the Tutors of the school to lock up his office yesterday in the evening, Mr. Awalu said when he took over he realized that the school is faced with some challenges which has to do with infrastructure. 

So in order to resolve the numerous challenges confronting the school he had a meeting with the staff of the school and suggested to them that they should all accept and discipline themselves in the area of collection of some allowances from the internal generated fund to enable them address the infrastructure issues. 

Mr. Awalu said he has received only one development levy on behalf of the school and it was used with its intended purpose. He revealed that the renovation of the computer lab, his current bungalow, the new conference tables and chairs were all done with the development levy. 

He said the request made by the tutors as their allowance is always more than half of the development levy they collect from the students. 

He said because the school run only one program they do not admit more students and it is only when they admit more students that they can mobilize more internal generated fund. 

He said aside looking at the infrastructure issues they have a lot of equally important issues they have to attend to which has to do with payment of casual workers, fuel for the school vehicles among others. 

He said has written to UNFPA, UNDP and UNICEF asking them to come to their aid in the area of toilet facilities among others. 

He added that since those NGOs always want to develop litigation free lands, he has gone to the appropriate offices to make sure they have litigation free lands.  

Mr. Awalu said when he took over casual workers of the school were paid in an adhoc manner but he has been able to restructure their payment system and now those who are qualified to pay SSNIT and others too pay tax. 

He said his outfit has put in place innovative measures to improve the living conditions of the students and the tutors. 

He said he is shocked about the level they have gone because just yesterday he had a meeting with academic and the clinical coordinator and even the money the clinical coordinator is demanding is 35 thousand Ghana Cedis. 

He said he has been operating an open door policy since he took over as the principal of the school and has always considered their opinion and suggestions.  

Mr. Awalu said he has not violated any rule governing the school, hence worked in the interest of the school. He noted that the tutors have decided not to rally behind him because of the allowances. 

He said in order to better the lives of the tutors, in August this year, he went to Accra and met with the registrar of nursing and midwifery council so that they can add more programs to enable them improve on the IGF. 

He said the Registrar of Nursing and Midwifery council has given him the go ahead and he also wrote to the national accreditation board and they has written them back and told them what to do. 

Mr. Awalu admitted that he is under investigation by BNI and EOCO about the accusations leveled against him for misappropriation of development levy. 

Mr. Awalu said he has always preached unity among the tutors and has always told them he prefer sacrificing himself than letting the school suffer in its endeavours. 

He said through his effort the school now has a substantive Vice Principal. 

Mr. Awalu has therefore pledged his outfit’s readiness to support and avail himself for any investigations by the BNI and EOCO. 

Meanwhile, students of the school this morning hit the streets of Bolgatanga to register their displeasure over the way they are been treated by the leadership of the school. 

They mentioned lack of toilet facilities, lack of dormitories, lack of quality food among others as some of the most pressing challenges confronting them.


GBCONLINE
---DECRYPTED---