The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has voted to retain the existing election system for selecting Pro-Vice Chancellors and Deans.
The decision was taken at an Emergency General Meeting held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the Allotey Auditorium, where members considered proposed changes to the KNUST Statutes.
The proposed revisions would introduce an appointment system for Pro-Vice-Chancellors and all Deans, replacing aspects of the existing arrangements.
Under the proposal for Pro-Vice-Chancellors, the Vice-Chancellor would nominate three candidates for each position for consideration by a Search Committee.
An alternative proposal would have allowed the Vice-Chancellor to nominate three candidates for Convocation to elect.
For Deans, one proposal sought to retain the existing arrangement under which some are appointed while others are elected, while the proposed new Statutes would require all Deans to be appointed through a Search Committee.
UTAG-KNUST members voted in favour of retaining the existing system.
The union said the position was based on the importance of broad participation, collegiality, transparency, and confidence in the selection of university leaders.
The outcome of the meeting was subsequently challenged by a member who questioned whether the vote should have been conducted electronically.
The member argued that previous voting exercises by the association had been conducted electronically.
However, a review of the UTAG National Constitution found that the electronic voting precedent applied specifically to decisions relating to industrial action.
The branch therefore upheld the decision reached at the emergency meeting.
The UTAG-KNUST position is expected to guide the branch’s engagement with KNUST authorities and other stakeholders as the university continues its review of its statutes.
