By Iddi Yire
Accra, Aug 07, GNA – The University of Ghana says it will vigorously defend its position and rights in relation to the « Africa Integras » Project.
It will contest the New York Petition before all appropriate forums, including arbitration and the New York Courts.
A statement signed by Mrs Emelia Agyei-Mensah, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the University was confident that it would prevail and that the New York Petition would be dismissed.
It said: « The University of Ghana finds it necessary to respond to and correct a series of
misrepresentations and falsehoods which have been circulating in recent days concerning the « Petition to Confirm, Recognize, and Enforce Foreign Arbitration Award » (the « New York Petition ») recently issued before the New York Courts by Ace American Insurance Company (« Chubb »). »
It noted that the University discouraged and deplores such unfounded speculation regarding the matter.
It said this arose out of the unsuccessful project commonly referred to as the « Africa
Integras Project » (the « Project »).
The statement said regrettably, once again the circumstances of the Project and its termination were being falsely represented.
It noted that further, the nature of the New York Petition had similarly wrongly been described.
It said the University wishes to provide the following by way of explanation and correction.
It said the University also refers to its press statement of 12th October, 2019, with regard to the true circumstances of the Project.
« Contrary to certain reports seen in the media, the University can categorically
confirm that no court judgment has been issued against the University in relation to
the Project, » it said.
The statement said the New York Petition does not in any way comprise a judgment, saying « rather, the New York Petition simply represents an initial step directed at commencing proceedings before the New York courts ».
It said such courts would allow the University full opportunity to respond to and contest the contents of the Petition.
It said the New York Petition presented an inaccurate and one-sided account of the Project; adding that further, the Petition was ill-founded and fundamentally flawed.
The statement said it was a matter of record that, over the past three years, the University had repeatedly invited all of the entities which purported to assert claims against it in relation to the
Project.
These include openly set out and substantiate their claims; mediate with the University; and/or
progress the claims by way of the arbitration which has already been commenced.
« However, such parties have persistently refused to do so, » it stated.
« The New York Petition now represents an attempt to avoid setting out and substantiating a proper claim against the University, and avoid the contractually-required arbitration process, by
proceeding in an inappropriate forum – the New York Courts. »
