The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has formally escalated its dispute over the appointment of Pro‑Vice Chancellors and Deans to the University Council. The move follows a September 9, 2026 Academic Board meeting that the association described as a “deeply disappointing” decision.
In a letter dated September 10, UTAG‑KNUST’s President, Prof. Eric Kwabena Kyeh Abavare, and Secretary, Prof. Akwasi Afrifa Acheampong, complained that the Board failed to uphold the association’s position that the existing appointment process should remain unchanged until a mutually acceptable framework is agreed. The letter warned that ignoring the statutory rights of academic staff could set a precedent affecting broader university governance.
UTAG‑KNUST argued that its demand for meaningful participation is grounded in Act 1157, Clause 5(f), and that the dispute is not merely procedural but concerns the principle of collegial governance. The association also rejected the notion that the university’s ten‑year strategic plan could override its long‑standing statutes.
The association has asked the Council to consider four key issues: the statutory basis of its membership under Act 1157, the democratic rights that flow from that provision, the right of members to vote in the appointment of Pro‑Vice Chancellors and Deans, and the relationship between statutes and the strategic plan. It also seeks assurance that any new appointment process will provide a genuine role for key stakeholders.
Despite the escalation, UTAG‑KNUST remains committed to dialogue and has urged its members to maintain a united position, discuss the matter within their departments, and remain patient while being prepared to act if necessary. The letter was copied to the Chairman of the University Council, the Vice‑Chancellor, the Registrar, and the National UTAG Executive.
The University Council is expected to review UTAG‑KNUST’s request for reconsideration as the dispute over the appointment process continues.
