Dagbon Overlord Orders Closure of St. Vicente Nursing College Over Principal Selection Dispute
A delegation representing the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari, has directed the closure of the St. Vicente Nursing College offices amid a disagreement regarding the appointment of a new principal.
The issue arose after the retirement of the college’s former principal, prompting the need for a replacement. While Yaa Naa Mahama Abukari endorsed a candidate for the role, the school’s board selected a different individual, sparking tensions.
The Registrar of the Dagbon Traditional Council, Alhassan Abdul Fataw, instructed the college’s staff and management to lock their offices and vacate the premises. He described the board’s decision to overlook the Overlord’s recommendation as disrespectful, necessitating the closure.
Fataw explained that the Overlord sought to address a long-standing concern about the absence of Dagomba principals at the institution. “Since the college’s inception, no Dagomba has been appointed as principal. The board failed to inform the King about the vacancy, and he only learned about it during the interview process,” Fataw said.
According to him, Yaa Naa requested the board to consider his recommendation to counter the perception of discrimination against local candidates. Despite the board’s initial agreement at the palace, a principal from outside the kingdom was ultimately chosen.
The youth of Yendi, upset by the perceived disregard for the King’s directive, supported the office closure to facilitate a resolution. “The closure is to ensure an amicable solution to the issue and restore respect for the traditional authority,” Fataw concluded.
Calls for Resolution
The closure highlights the need for dialogue and collaboration between traditional authorities and educational institutions to address concerns and foster mutual respect.