By Marcus Bangura
The Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) through the leadership of Prof. Philip John Kanu, Principal, and Vice-Chancellor, in collaboration with its Academic Staff Association (ASA) has elected and inaugurated a new Federal Executive and Campus Management Committees as provided in the Universities Act, 2021. The new ASA Federal Executive, among other things, will serve as the mouthpiece to articulate the interest of its members, seek staff welfare, foster unity, and resolve conflicts among members.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the MMTU Great Hall, Goderich on Tuesday,20th February, 2024 in the presence of distinguished personalities in the field of academia, academic staff, and the press.
In his formal presentation and certification of the incoming executive, the Chief Electoral Commissioner, Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU), Dr. Emmanuel Conteh described the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected Academic Staff Association as a new era and dawn for MMTU ASA. He commended the administration for successful free, fair, and transparent elections.
At the climax of the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Electoral Officer announced the elected members of the Federal Executive and Campus Management Committees. Prominent amongst them was Mr. Ishmael Kebbay- President, Mr. Robin Monrovia-Vice President and Abdulai Sesay-Secretary General. The three elected Federal Executive officials are now charged with the utmost responsibility of steering the ship of MMTU ASA with the help of elected officials of Campus Management Committees in doing the ASA business.
Lecturers far and wide believed in the leadership of Mr. Ishmael Kebbay, who has all that it takes to make a difference; as he is considered the audacity of hope for ASA in articulating and actualizing the Welfare of staff at MMTU.
By and large, Mr. Ishmael Kebbay is a household name with a magnet of attention in the field of academia at MMTU and even beyond. Mr Kebbeh is an astute, charismatic, magnetic, and conscientious leader, who has all it takes to deliver the needful for ASA without encumbrances due to his expertise, experience, passion, and commitment to making things happen. His exuberance and hospitality towards others were the driving force that catapulted him to the crescendo of achieving the ASA Presidency.
As the dignified and efficient President of MMTU ASA, lecturers hold the view that Mr. Kebbay will judiciously use his respected office, experience as a long-serving lecturer, and connections to address the challenges facing the welfare of lecturers. It was not a surprise that he was overwhelmingly voted for across the three main campuses of MMTU. In an interview with C4D MEDIA, Mr. Kebbay assured the Association of Academic Staff through this medium that he will stand tall and doubly redouble his effort, commitment, and passion to ensure that the welfare of lecturers is catered for. He called on the membership of ASA not to be left behind but to come on board and put all hands on deck to achieve the common objective.
At the ceremony, Dr. Williette James of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, served as the Guest Speaker of the occasion. In her address, she congratulated ASA MMTU and recollected the time when ASA was resuscitated in 2020 to review salaries and conditions of service for staff for which a 70% increment was made. It was laudable on the side of ASA to score such a spectacular goal for ASA.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Unity’, Dr. James took credence to Jesus, who prayed for unity among his disciples. She emphasized that during her tenure as ASA President at FBC, she laid many foundations for ASA to build on. She urged members to be devoted, accountable, committed, determined to consolidate the gains already made, treat all members fairly, protect and respect them as well as take an interest in research opportunities.
Dr James called on ASA MMTU to engage the administration constructively, be financially independent, urge members to attend regular meetings, and pay their contributions, observing that there are divisions among staff in various universities across the country.
The chairman of the ceremony, Mr. Beresford Elliot, Head of the Creative Practical Acts Department at MMTU disclosed that the event is another milestone in the history of ASA for the outgoing executive to hand over to the incoming which he described as a new dawn that has commenced in the Association for which he commended the outgoing executive, congratulated the new executive, and wished them well with hope that they would excel in their administration.
The Principal and Vice Chancellor of MMTU, Dr. Philip John Kanu in his submission asserted that MMTU is moving and as part of a bigger family, he guaranteed that the administration would support ASA but warned lecturers not to harass female students and sell pamphlets. He assured that ASA has been working for staff to get their severance benefits and that he had paid the severance benefits to some staff of 15-20 years standing in the institution. He encouraged all to complain to the administration’s grievance redress mechanism when aggrieved, other than going to the media. He emphasized that this is the opportunity to move MMTU from a polytechnic to a Technical University.
The Principal and Vice-Chancellor also appealed to ASA to convey their thanks and appreciation to the government for the regular payment of staff salaries and the $20 million ongoing rehabilitation of the institution. He concluded by wishing the new ASA MMTU executive a successful tenure.
In his formal presentation and certification of the incoming executive, the Chief Electoral Commissioner at MMTU, Dr. Emmanuel Conteh described the ceremony as a new era and dawn for MMTU ASA and commended the administration for the success of the elections, which he described as free, fair and transparent. Dr. Conteh went on to call the names of the elected Federal Executive and Campus Management Committees. The Federal Executive comprised of Mr. Ishmael Kebbay-President; Mr. Robin Monrovia-Vice President and Abdulai Sesay-Secretary General. The Campus management elected officials for Congo Cross Campus, include, Musa Kargbo-Chairman; Mohamed Kamara-Secretary General; Rev. Mohamed Tholley-Treasurer and Alimamy Conteh-Organizing Secretary. The elected officials for Brookfields Campus, include, Mrs. Dorcas Ladijah-Chairperson; Osman Bakarr-Secretary General, Mrs. Christiana Kamara –Treasurer and Isha Conteh-Organizing Secretary.
Dr. Brima Ngabeh, who represented the Universities Academic Staff Association (UASA), acclaimed the MMTU Chief Electoral Commission for the transparent and credible conduct of the elections, that the UASA was formed in 1991 according to the national constitution that makes provision for freedom of association and assembly for individuals and institutions to form or belong to professional associations, unions or political parties among others.
He recalled that a series of meetings were held to form UASA and that since its inception it has engaged various stakeholders including the Ministries of Technical and Higher Education, Finance, and Labour respectively but lamented that their promises have not been fulfilled for which they plan a protest action by the 29th February this year when they would implement the provisions of the Act and applauded the outgoing UASA President for a job well done.
Dr. Brima Ngabeh further stated that they believe in constructive engagements with stakeholders in addressing issues affecting them. In his handing over statement on behalf of the outgoing executive, Mr. Washington Fillie underscored that they sought the interest of their members, collaborated with other stakeholders, developed the MMTU ASA constitution, and appealed to members to be committed and attend meetings regularly.
In his augural speech, the ASA President-elect, Mr. Ismael Kebbay assured that he would not disappoint the trust and confidence reposed in him, that his election is a victory for all at MMTU to defend and consolidate the nascent institution, highlighted one of the visions of MMTU as innovation, assured that they would catch up with the development train, develop and implement a new plan for academic staff and reminded all of his campaign slogan which is ‘Call to Action’.
Mr. Ishmael Kebbay added that he would demand severance and other benefits for staff, quality teaching and learning, innovation and research as well as partner with key stakeholders, introduce a loan scheme, rebrand and defend MMTU, and consolidate the gains already made.
