St. Vincent College Of Education Principal Resigns Amid Controversy

Prof. Jonas Kwabla Fiadzawoo, the Principal of St. Vincent College of Education in Yendi, has resigned just two months after his appointment, which had sparked significant controversy.

In his resignation letter, dated January 16, 2025, addressed to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Fiadzawoo cited the controversies surrounding his appointment as the primary reason for his decision.

“My vision was to enhance the infrastructural development of the college to improve teaching and learning. However, recent developments show that my selection does not align with the aspirations of the college,” Fiadzawoo wrote.

Fiadzawoo, who is also a Senior Lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS), was appointed Principal on November 27, 2024. However, his appointment was met with strong opposition from the college community, leading to a series of protests.

The disagreement began after the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari II, issued a directive on January 13, 2025, for the closure of the college.

This followed a dispute over the appointment, with the college’s governing board reportedly ignoring the Overlord’s recommendation to prioritize local candidates for the role of Principal.

The previous Principal had recently retired, and the Overlord had suggested that the board consider indigenes to address the longstanding perception that locals were often sidelined in appointments.

However, the board proceeded with Fiadzawoo’s appointment, which did not sit well with the Overlord and the community.

As a result, the college was temporarily shut down, and all staff and management were instructed to vacate the premises until the situation is resolved.

The Registrar of the Dagbon Traditional Council, Alhassan Abdul-Fataw, confirmed that while the board had been invited to the palace and had agreed to consider local candidates, they ultimately failed to honor their commitment.

He added that no Dagomba or indigenous person had ever been appointed as Principal of the college since its establishment, further exacerbating the community’s grievances.