KNUST female Vice-chancellor 2yr term extension faces injunction

A graduate of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has filed an interim injunction to suspend the extension of Professor Akosua Dickson’s term as the university’s Vice-Chancellor for another two years.

The KNUST alumunus injunction comes after the University Council during its 282nd routine meeting approved the Committee’s proposal to prolong her term for another two years, starting from August 1, 2024, and ending on July 31, 2026.

Following the unanimous decision to extend the first female Vice-Chancellor’s term of office, the Science and Technology University on June 20, 2024, declared the reappointment of Prof. Dickson as Vice-Chancellor for an additional term.

However, the KNUST graduate and the plaintiff, Kofi Clement Ohene Asare In a notice dated July 16, 2024, sighted by Thisterm.com stated that the alleged reappointment of the Vice Chancellor’s term violated the university’s regulations.

He cites breaches of the University’s Statutes in the reappointment of the Vice-Chancellor supervised by the former Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, who is the Chairperson of the University’s Council.

According to the applicant, the procedure for the appointment wherein a seven-member Search Committee is constituted to propose an ideal candidate for consideration and the advertisement of the vacancy of the Vice Chancellor position for the application of other viable candidates were not followed.

In the application, Mr Ohene Asare described as “unlawful”, “illegal”, and “unconscionable” the conduct of the university and the governing council in the renewal of the appointment of the female Vice-Chancellor.

The Kumasi High Court following the injunction on the extension of Prof Rita Akosua Dickson’s role as the KNUST Vice-Chancellor for another two years is expected to hear the case and make a ruling on July 30, 2024.

Professor (Mrs) Rita Akosua Dickson, a professor of Pharmacy in August 2020 was appointed as the first female Vice-Chancellor of the KNUST. Her appointment for a four-year term took effect from August 1, 2020, to July 31, 2024.

Taking over from Prof Kwasi Obiri Danso, Prof Rita Dickson before her appointment as the new Vice-Chancellor for the Kumasi-based Science and Technology institution was Pro-Vice-Chancellor of KNUST.