School of Law Saga: SRC Prez ‘Constitutionally’ Resigned; We Didn’t Force Him – Management

The management of the Ghana School of Law has provided justifications for compelling the school’s SRC President Philemon Laar to resign with immediate effect.

Mr. Philemon Laar reportedly stepped down after the Ghana School of Law management withdrew its recognition of him as the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) President.

He contends there are unjust reasons for his removal, according to a publication by Kasapa FM Online.

“The decision to resign was occasioned by the apparent deadlock between the SRC and Management of the Ghana School of Law on whether or not an administrative fiat should be the basis to withdraw recognition for me as a democratically elected executive of the SRC.

”I was unsuccessful in the October 2020 PLC examinations. Like several other students displeased about their results, and convinced that the examination results did not reflect their industry and performance, I applied to have my scripts remarked. Results of the said remarking are yet to be released.

“Based on the above facts, Management of the Ghana School of Law communicated their unwillingness to engage with the SRC if I remain President. They have also refused to release any funds to the SRC for the same reason.

“I disagree with this position by Management because this singular action is an affront on the constitution of the SRC and represents undue interference in the affairs of students. The withdrawal of recognition of me as President, and the accompanying actions prejudices the outcome of my application for remarking which in itself has delayed unduly contrary to the timelines provided in the students handbook,” Mr. Laar argued.

But the management has provided basis for its actions.

In a communiqué sighted by Peacefmonline.com, the school says Mr. Laar’s was asked to resign because he failed his examinations.

“This decision has been premised or based on the fact that Mr. Philemon Laar was not successful at the recently held PLC Part 1 Exams and has to repeat Part 1. Consequently, he cannot hold himself out as President of the SRC. He is hereby advised to resign,” the communiqué read.

The school further mandated the Executive Council to “conduct a by-election to elect a new SRC President. Until then Management will not be in any position to deal or engage with the SRC with Mr. Laar as President.

Further investigations by Peacefmonline also indicate that the management acted in accordance with the constitution governing the school.

A constitutional provision on the removal from office states; “A member of the Executive Council shall be deemed to be unable to perform the functions assigned to that member when that member [c] is repeated or disqualified to continue academic study by the Ghana School of Law by reason of poor academic performance; [d] resigns or is removed from office.”