EOCO invited to assist with investigations at GIJ

14th Feb 2018 | Source: graphic.com.gh

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), has been invited to assist with investigations related to alleged procurement infractions by the management of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), under the leadership of Dr. Wilberforce Dzisah as Rector.

Dr Dzisah is currently on leave pending the conclusion of the investigations.

The Governing Council of the GIJ, chaired by Professor Kwasi Ansu-Kyeremeh invited EOCO to assist in the investigations.

A letter dated February 7, 2017 signed by the GIJ Council Chairman to EOCO indicated that the council was investigating the operation of the institute from September 2014 to date.

The letter stated that the EOCO was to assist, including forensic audit, in establishing any short-comings that might have caused the institute to lose property or finances and, if any, their prompt retrieval.

According to the letter, the GIJ Council is principally interested in any role and actions, criminal or otherwise, some persons might have played, or indulged in, to lead to loss or wrongdoing during the period.

Those mentioned in the letter were Dr. Wilberforce Dzisah, Rector, since 2013, and currently on leave, Dr. Ebo Afful, Acting Vice Rector until January 31, 2018; Mr. Perry P.K. Ofosu, Registrar, who is currently on leave; Mr. Akwasi Sekyere Boateng, Procurement Officer, who is still at post, and any other member of faculty or staff.

In December 2018 it emerged that Dr Dzisah had been asked by the council to proceed on leave pending investigations into the alleged procurement infractions.

But the Institute rebutted with a statement to debunk the media report explaining, that Dr Dzisah was rather taking part of his annual leave from Wednesday, December 27, 2017 to Thursday, February 1, 2018 “to allow for a smooth investigation into some concerns raised, including academic integrity and procurement practices.”

On February 1, 2018 however, Dr Dzisah reportedly resumed work only to be given a letter from the Governing Council, directing him to proceed on leave the next day, Friday 2, 2018.

In his stead, Dr Modestus Fosu has been asked to take over as the acting Rector.

Meanwhile, the council has also asked the Registrar of the Institute, Mr Perry K.K. Ofosu, to proceed on leave, while the acting Deputy Rector, Dr Ebo Afful, has been directed to revert to his previous position as the Head of the Journalism Department.

Among the allegations said to have persuaded the Council to initiate the investigations are poor managerial skills, nepotism, interference in the affairs of the academic board in the determination of best students and other actions that have affected the image of the institute.