KNUST Statutes Review Sparks Agitation as UTAG Members Threaten Strike
Some UTAG members oppose proposed changes to university governance and senior officer selection, demanding broader stakeholder consultation before the statutes are finalised.
- UTAG members threaten strike
- Dispute over proposed KNUST statutes
- Staff demand broader consultation
Tensions are escalating at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) over the ongoing review of the university’s statutes, with some members of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) reportedly threatening industrial action.
The concerns centre on what some staff describe as inadequate consultation, proposed changes to the selection of senior university officers, and provisions they fear could give the Vice-Chancellor greater authority.
Some UTAG members are particularly opposed to proposals affecting the selection of Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Deans and other senior academic officers.
They argue that replacing existing voting arrangements with appointment-based systems could reduce the influence of the university community in selecting its leaders.
Concerns have also been raised about proposed changes to the composition of the Academic Board, including a proposal for only four Deans to serve on the board on a rotational basis instead of having all Deans represented.
Some staff are calling for the review process to be suspended until outstanding concerns are addressed through broader stakeholder consultation.
The possibility of industrial action has consequently increased pressure on KNUST management to resolve the disagreements and rebuild confidence in the process.
