The Oforikrom Constituency Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Jerry James Sukah popularly known as Papa Jay has raised concerns over what he describes as a politically motivated campaign aimed at influencing the selection process for the next Vice-Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
His comments follow a recent publication by GhanaWeb that purportedly identified three individuals as “top contenders” in the race to succeed the current Vice-Chancellor of the Kumasi-based university.
In a strongly worded reaction, Papa Jay questioned the credibility of the report, arguing that the process to select a new Vice-Chancellor had not yet reached a stage where such claims could be substantiated. According to him, none of the individuals mentioned in the publication had formally submitted an application for the position, and it remains unclear how certain candidates could be singled out as frontrunners.
“On what basis can anyone claim that three individuals are the top runners in the contest when the official application process has not even concluded?” he queried.
Papa Jay further indicated that the report suggested nine individuals were in contention for the position, yet even that number remained speculative. He maintained that more than nine candidates were likely to apply once the process officially opened, making it premature and misleading to rank prospective applicants.
He also raised questions about what he described as inconsistencies and selective representation in the report, particularly regarding the professional titles of some of the individuals mentioned.
According to him, three of the supposed contenders—Professor Rita Akosua Dickson Britwum (Prof. Britwum), Professor Charles Marfo (Prof. Marfo), and Professor Christian Agyare (Prof. Agyare)—are all currently serving as Provosts at KNUST. Prof. Britwum heads the College of Engineering, Prof. Marfo leads the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, while Prof. Agyare serves as Provost of the College of Health Sciences.
However, Papa Jay noted that the publication reportedly referred to only Prof. Agyare as a Provost while failing to acknowledge the same title for the other two. He described this omission as questionable and potentially deliberate.
“If the intention was to provide accurate information to the public, why were the official titles of some candidates omitted while others were highlighted?” he asked.
He further pointed out that other individuals reportedly mentioned in the article also hold significant academic and administrative positions which were not acknowledged.
Among them, he cited Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso Brenya, who he said serves as Chairman of the Governing Council of Kumasi Technical University; Professor Isaac Kponyo, Director of the Office of Grants and Research at KNUST; and Professor Nicholas Abavare, President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) at KNUST.
According to Papa Jay, the failure to highlight such positions raises concerns about what he termed “intellectual dishonesty” in the publication. He argued that such reporting risks creating an uneven perception of candidates and could undermine the credibility of the ongoing process.
“It is difficult not to question the motive behind a publication that selectively highlights certain titles while ignoring others of equal significance,” he said.
Papa Jay also alleged that the individuals being projected as leading contenders are perceived to be aligned with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), suggesting that the narrative could be part of a broader political strategy to influence who becomes the next Vice-Chancellor of KNUST.
He claimed that the alleged agenda may be aimed at promoting a candidate perceived to be sympathetic to the ruling party while discrediting others who may pose strong competition.
According to him, such developments could undermine the integrity of academic leadership selection if not carefully managed.
“The easiest strategy in such a situation is to attempt to weaken or discredit strong contenders in order to create an artificial advantage,” he said.
Papa Jay therefore called on the government and the Governing Council of KNUST to closely monitor developments surrounding the Vice-Chancellor selection process to ensure that it remains transparent, fair, and free from political interference.
He stressed that universities must remain bastions of academic independence and intellectual integrity, warning that attempts to politicise leadership appointments could have long-term consequences for institutional credibility.
He also urged individuals who intend to contest the position to focus on preparing for the formal selection process rather than engaging in actions that could tarnish the reputation of colleagues within the academic community.
“The position of Vice-Chancellor is a highly respected academic office. Those aspiring to occupy it must demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and respect for their colleagues,” he stated.
Papa Jay concluded by cautioning against what he described as desperation among some prospective candidates, urging all parties involved to uphold the dignity of the university and allow due process to determine the eventual outcome of the selection.
The process to appoint a new Vice-Chancellor at KNUST is expected to attract significant interest within Ghana’s academic community, given the university’s status as one of the country’s leading institutions for science and technology. Stakeholders are therefore expected to closely follow developments to ensure that the eventual appointment reflects merit, fairness, and institutional excellence.
