A succession process for a new Vice-Chancellor for the University of Ghana has reportedly been bottlenecked by the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu.
Prof. Owusu is said to have reneged on the announcement of his successor even though a selection process has been completed.
It is being speculated that the Akufo Addo administration is attempting to impose a V-C on the premier university.
After a Search Committee had interviewed and vetted six applicants, Prof Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, is said to have come out as the most qualified to succeed Prof. Oduro Owusu, however, the incumbent appears not to be keen on relinquishing the position to her.
Per the statutes of the University, she is supposed to be announced as the incoming V-C by a University Council which is not in place.
Other applicants were Prof Felix Ankomah Asante, Prof Peter Quartey, Prof Godfred Alufar Bokpin, Prof Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe and Prof Daniel Frimpong Ofori.
Sources claim Prof. Oduro Owusu has bottlenecked the succession process because Prof. Appiah Amfo is not his favourite candidate. She is also said to not be the government’s favourite either.
For the outgoing VC, he is said to be apprehensive that if the post goes to someone who is not his favourite, his successor will dig into his stewardship and give him a nightmarish retirement.
Among others, Prof. Oduro Owusu’s handling of the controversial project to build a new Hall Complex for Commonwealth Hall is seen to be steeped in possible corruption.
It has been reported that his relationship with teacher groups, including the Legon Chapter of UTAG, has been chaotic because of the perception that his stewardship has not been uncontroversial.
Meanwhile, the current Vice-Chancellor goes on retirement on the 31st of July, 2021.
Meanwhile, it is not only the Vice-Chancellor i that is due for retirement; the Provosts for the Colleges of Education, Basic Science and Applied Science are all retiring at the end of July.
Replacement of all of these outgoing officers is hinged on Prof. Oduro Owusu, loosening grip on the process before the 31st of July. If he does not, the University’s administration will run into a crisis.