The re-appointment of the Vice-Chancellors at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Cape Coast (UCC) may be facing a potential delay due to recent lawsuits by alumni of the two institutions.
Kofi Clement Ohene Asare, an alumnus of KNUST, has filed an interlocutory injunction to block the second-term appointment of Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, scheduled to begin on August 1, 2024.
Ohene Asare claims that the University’s Statutes were violated during the reappointment process, which was overseen by former Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, the Chairperson of the University’s Council.
He argues that the necessary procedures, including forming a seven-member Search Committee to recommend candidates and advertising the Vice-Chancellor position to attract applicants, were not adhered to.
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In his filing, Ohene Asare labeled the university’s and council’s actions as “unlawful,” “illegal,” and “unconscionable.”
Despite these claims, he states that former Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah and Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson are intent on moving forward with the reappointment, leading to his request for an injunction.
It appears similar concerns have been raised by John Mevemeo, an alumnus of the UCC, who has asked the Cape Coast High Court to restrain the University from going forward with the re-appointment of UCC Vice-Chancellor Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, as due process was not followed.
“Plaintiff avers that by Statute 8.2 of the University of Cape Code Statutes 2016, the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor may be renewed by the Council of the University for a further term of up to three years provided that the renewal does not extend beyond the statutory age of 60 years. Plaintiff says that the second defendant was born on the 8th of September 1965 and by law ought to retire on the 8th of September 2025. Plaintiff says that notwithstanding the above, Council of the First Defendants on Friday 28th July 2023 held a meeting where the second defendant’s appointment as a Vice-Chancellor was renewed for another term of up to 31st July 2026,” a filing dated May 3, 2024, said.
The Cape Coast High Court is expected to rule on the matter on July 29, while the Kumasi High Court will do the same on July 30.
