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0 Ferdinand | PoliticsGhana | May 4 | KNUST Inaugurates New Governing Council with Akyamfoɔ Asafo Boakye Agyemang-Bonsu as Chairman
On 29 April 2025, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology officially inaugurated its newly constituted Governing Council, appointing Akyamfoɔ Asafo Boakye Agyemang‑Bonsu as Chairman.
The 15‑member body brings together representatives from academia, student and staff constituencies, and wider civil society to provide strategic oversight to Ghana’s second‑largest university.
Inauguration and Charge to Council
The Education Minister, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, presided over the inauguration and urged the Council to prioritise STEM disciplines, artificial intelligence, and the employability of graduates over an over‑expansion of humanities programmes .
He reminded members that shaping Ghana’s human capital through science and engineering is vital to national development .
Composition of the Governing Council
The Governing Council comprises 15 members drawn from key stakeholder groups:
- Chairman: Akyamfoɔ Asafo Boakye Agyemang‑Bonsu
- Vice‑Chancellor (ex‑officio): Prof. (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson
- Academic Convocation Representatives: Prof. Samuel Asare‑Nkansah (Professorial) and Ing. Dr. Daniel Opoku (Non‑Professorial)
- University Teachers Association: Prof. Dr. Eric Kwabena Kyei Abavare
- Postgraduate Students: Mr. Gabriel Alexander Kpevu
- Undergraduate Students: Mr. Kena Nana Francis
- Alumni Association: Dr. Herman Yobo Addae
- Teachers & Education Workers Union (TEWU‑GH): Mr. Michael Ayuune
- Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS): Mr. Zachariah Suleiman Yeboah
- National Council for Curriculum & Assessment (NaCCA): Dr. Frimpong Kaakyire Duku
- Three Additional Members: Ms. Gloria Naa Amanuah Appoh, Prof. Leonard Derkyi‑Kwarteng, and Prof. Abdul Samed Muntaka
Mandate and Expectations
Under the KNUST statutes and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission Act, the Governing Council is charged with oversight of policy, finance, and strategic direction. Education Ministry guidelines direct the Council to ensure academic programmes align with national development needs, particularly in STEM and AI.
Minister Iddrisu’s emphasis on reducing humanities expansion reflects a broader policy shift toward science‑driven growth .
Council Chair Agyemang‑Bonsu, a veteran administrator and former university leader, pledged to foster inclusive governance, transparency, and stakeholder engagement.
He highlighted the need to address infrastructure deficits, research funding, and graduate employability through robust industry partnerships.
Early Reactions and Next Steps
The inauguration drew both support and protest. Leaders of the KNUST branch of TEWU‑GH declared an indefinite strike, alleging inadequate consultation in the Council’s composition; they demanded greater representation for non‑teaching staff .
University management has pledged to engage the union to resolve concerns and ensure the Council’s work proceeds unimpeded.
In the coming weeks, the Council will hold its first meeting to adopt a strategic plan, review financial statements, and set up committees on audit, academic affairs, and infrastructure. Its decisions will shape KNUST’s trajectory as it seeks to enhance research output, expand postgraduate training, and deepen industry linkages.
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