Less than a month after the investiture of a new Vice‑Chancellor, KNUST’s Governing Council has voted to abolish the long‑standing practice of faculty electing Deans and Pro‑Vice‑Chancellors. The decision means that university leaders will now be appointed by the Council rather than chosen by the academic community.
The timing of the change has raised alarms. The new administration is still settling in, yet a core tradition of academic participation is being dismantled. The Council has moved forward even as formal petitions from the major recognised staff unions – UTAG, GAUA and TEWU‑TUC – have been presented, all of which oppose the shift.
Union representatives argue that the move represents a transfer of power from academics to the central authority, stripping teachers, researchers and senior administrators of a voice in selecting those who run their units. They point to past leaders such as Professors Rita Dickson, Otoo Ellis, Adarkwa and Odai, who were chosen through faculty elections and enjoyed the confidence of the academic community.
Critics say that while the election process may have flaws, abolishing participation because it is difficult to manage undermines good governance. They warn that if the dispute escalates, students, lecturers, researchers and the university’s reputation could suffer.
The Council’s decision comes on the back of the 2018 crisis, when a disagreement at KNUST led to widespread disruption, property damage and the dissolution of the Governing Council. Union leaders fear a repeat of that turmoil if dialogue and consultation are not resumed.
In the words of one union spokesperson, the change “is not merely about who becomes Dean or ProVC; it is about what kind of KNUST we want.” The call is for the Council to pause, engage seriously with the unions and consider the long‑term impact on the university’s democratic culture.
As the university works to restore its academic calendar after recent disruptions, the new appointment policy remains a flashpoint. Stakeholders watch closely to see whether the Governing Council will heed the unions’ concerns or proceed with the appointments as planned.
