{
  "id": 2430024,
  "title": "KNUST assures staff, public over statute review process amid UTAG concerns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/knust-assures-staff-public-over-statute-review-process-amid-utag",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T20:19:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/knust-assures-staff-public-over-statute-review-process-amid-utag-concerns/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The management of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has reassured both university staff and the public that draft Statutes will only be deemed final once the ongoing review process concludes. This assurance follows mounting concerns over proposed amendments to the university's governance structure, particularly surrounding the selection processes for Pro-Vice-Chancellors and Deans. These concerns were exacerbated by a vote by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) at KNUST, which rejected suggestions to transition from election-based selections to appointment systems for these key positions.\n\nAccording to KNUST management, the review follows the implementation of the KNUST Act, 2025 (Act 1157). In March 2026, the University Governing Council established a committee tasked with drafting new Statutes to align with the provisions of the new Act. Stakeholders, including representatives from various colleges, academic units, staff unions, student bodies, and other members of the university community, were engaged throughout April and July to gather feedback and input on the proposed changes.\n\nThe draft Statutes were presented to an Emergency Meeting of the Academic Board on August 5, 2026. Following this, a review committee was formed to scrutinize the initial draft, along with comments, suggestions, and proposals submitted by stakeholders. As of now, the review committee has not yet submitted its report to the Academic Board. KNUST has emphasized that the draft Statutes should not be considered final until this committee submits its comprehensive report. The university has urged all members of the university community and the public to maintain patience, requesting that they rely solely on official communications for updates on the review process.\n\nThe rejection of the proposed changes by UTAG-KNUST on August 20, during an Emergency General Meeting, highlighted the significance of maintaining the current election arrangements. Members argued for the retention of these systems, citing the importance of broad participation, collegiality, transparency, and public confidence in the university's leadership selection processes. One of the contentious proposals would have allowed the Vice-Chancellor to appoint candidates for Pro-Vice-Chancellor positions through a Search Committee, while another would have required all Deans to be appointed via a Search Committee, rather than through the existing combination of both appointment and election.\n\nKNUST management has reaffirmed its commitment to an open and consultative approach, underscoring the importance of engaging relevant stakeholders throughout the review process. The university expressed gratitude for the patience and constructive contributions provided by staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders, with the goal of developing a \"robust, legally sound, and forward-looking set of Statutes\" that will benefit the institution in the long term. The review committee is anticipated to deliver its final report to the Academic Board prior to the Statutes moving forward to the University Governing Council for consideration and potential approval.",
  "summary": "Management of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has assured staff and the public that no draft Statutes should be considered final until the ongoing review process is completed. The clarification comes amid concerns over proposed changes to the university's governance framework, including the selection of Pro-Vice-Chancellors and Deans.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}