The newly-elected president of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion University (AMEZU) has vowed to rebrand the university and position it second to none in the country. Dr. Emmanuel Farecca Johnson, I, disclosed that the reforms will affect the administration, finance, academic and infrastructures of the university. He made the disclosure on Thursday, June 1 in the edifice of the Brown Memorial Zion Church on Benson Street, Monrovia, during the turning over ceremony of the university to him, by the interim management team.
He is taking over following the death of the interim president of the university, Dr. Benjamin D. Lartey, who died on April 30, 2023 following a brief illness.
The new president will serve for a period of five years, according to the contract signed with the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Johnson, who is third in the line of succession as president of AMEZU, observed that the university has endured challenging moments in its recent history. “It is now time for us to move forward,” he said. Dr. Johnson, who served as Bishop’s deputy and dean of the Divinity College of AMEZU prior to his election, reminded the faculty and staffers of the university that the rebranding process will be felt by everyone.
“What is going to happen is that we will put round pegs in round holes and square pegs in square holes administratively and make sure that everything is done properly because I will not sit in my office and allow things to spoil,” he assured.
The new AMEZU president urged those who may not be able to withstand the reform to pack their bags and leave; adding: “I will not sit and allow the university to fall.” Accordingly, he said, the academic rebranding will include curriculum review geared towards modernizing the university’s academic programs in order to make the university more attractive and marketable, overhaul the entire system and ensure that teachers are well placed and taken care of while demanding performance and accountability.
“We are also going to rebrand our financial system that will ensure resource mobilization and accountability,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the head of the transitional team and chair of the academic committee of the Board of Trustees of AMEZU, Dr. Nathaniel Walker, underscored the need for change at the university. Walker noted that his team noticed lots of anomalies at the university, adding “The new president, being so close to the university, will in no doubt effect the necessary changes.”
He expressed explicit confidence in the leadership capability of Dr. Johnson to reform the university saying “Johnson is the one that can take this university forward.”
For his part, AMEZU’s Associate Vice President for Extension Program, Dr. Henrique Marcus Speare underscored the need for reform and unity as the university embarks on a new beginning. Speare thanked Dr. Johnson for his preferment and urged him to stand firm on his plans to rebrand the university.
Also making remarks was AMEZU Faculty Association President, Mr. James Naplakposo Fallah. Fallah advised the new president to be mindful of the bad apples within the system. “Gossip, Mr. President, is a problem here so you must be watchful!” Fallah added “The Faculty Association is an independent body that won’t be controlled by anyone.”
In separate remarks, AMEZU Alumni Association President J. Deami Stewart and President Emeritus Christopher Peters pledged their support to working with the new administration to ensure that the university moves forward. The two alumni, however, vowed to fight back if the administration fails to effect the necessary reforms for the betterment of the university.
