Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Startling! Plot To Deny KNUST Vice Chancellor Mandate Extension Pops Up…Wicked Machinations Galore!
Painstaking investigations by this reporter reveal subtle attempts by some members of the Governing Council of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to thwart the desire by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rita Akosua Dickson to have a mandate extension by a further two years.
It is startling because Professor Rita Dickson apart from being due for such an extension has also fulfilled every requirement needed to seek same.
Having known that her mandate ends on August 1, first ever female VC readily and by convention put in an official application for an extension before the Governing Council.
According to the university statutes, any Vice-Chancellor whose age at the time of ending their mandates was still below 60 years, can have an extension of a further two years if they would still be within the retirement age of 60.
A beneficiary of such a scenario was Professor Otoo-Ellis, a former VC who served for six years having had an age that facilitated that.
Currently Professor Rita Dickson is 54, having been born on August 1, 1970 and thus qualify to seek a further 2 year extension as stipulated by the University statute.
Committee:
Interestingly, having received the formal application letters from the Vice-chancellor, the governing council set up a three member validation committee to evaluate the performance of the first female Vice Chancellor.
Credible Information obtained through a a committee member indicates that it found no fault against the enigmatic Professor whose performance according to all those who appeared before it was sterling.
Machinations:
However, after making its findings known to the governing council, there appears to be some reluctance on the part of the Governing Council to give the extension to the calm and welcoming female Vice-chancellor.
Credible information picked up indicates that some of these reluctant members want the position for their crony and protégé, the current Pro-Vice Chancellor, whose current age does not even qualify him to be considered.
The source said, these council members have since the day Professor Akosua Dickson put in the application for extension been using subtle tactics to show their unwillingness to agree to the term extension.
However, the source said no one has been bold to point out anything untoward against the VC.
Student Representative Council (SRC):
Over the weekend some members of the Yvonne Osei Adobea led Student Representative Council (SRC) who wanted to be placed on strict anonymity noted that Professor Akosua Dickson exudes grace, adding that students feel comfortable anytime they came around her.
They noted that KNUST under Professor Dickson’ tenure has enjoyed stability and sanity as never seen in the university.
Her ability to use diplomacy and open engagement on issues, they stated has been doing the trick.
Alumni:
A member of the Alumni association, who spoke to this reporter on anonymity said what was baffling is that the female VC rather than abandoning projects started by previous VCs has diligently worked to complete them.
He noted other monumental as well as several educational interventions have been initiated by Professor Dickson.
Professor Dickson, he noted have been signing relationship agreements with several world class universities as well as organisations aimed at building capacities of the school, students and the community the school resides.
Impending Court Suit:
Meanwhile, some members of the Governing Council are alleged to be pushing for the VC’s position to be advertised contrary to having received the extension notice and documentations from Professor Akosua Dickson.
The University, from a deep throat source risks a court action if it goes ahead to advertise the VC position since the current Vice-Chancellor has every right to seek an extension and has fulfilled requirements for the grant of same.
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