The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called for strengthened governance structures and increased government support for higher education during the 59th Special Congregation of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) held on Saturday.
Addressing graduates, faculty, and dignitaries, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II described graduation as a moment of reflection, celebration, and renewed commitment to the ideals of higher education.
He commended students for their perseverance and acknowledged the contributions of faculty, staff, parents, and stakeholders in supporting their academic journey.
The Asantehene highlighted recent reforms in the university’s governance framework, noting that the repeal of the University Act of 1961 (Act 80) and the introduction of a new legal framework Act 2025 (Act 1157) marked a significant turning point.
He said the new legislation is expected to modernize the administration of the university and position it to respond effectively to the evolving demands of higher education.
He urged the University Council to expedite the review of existing statutes to ensure alignment with the new act, emphasizing the need for timely implementation to strengthen institutional governance.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also underscored the importance of KNUST’s newly launched 10-year strategic plan, “Plan 2K35,” which will run from 2026 to 2035.
The plan, he said, aims to enhance teaching, research, innovation, and community engagement while expanding infrastructure and fostering strategic partnerships both locally and internationally.
He called on colleges, institutes, and administrative units within the university to align their individual plans with the broader strategic framework to ensure coherence and shared purpose across the institution.
Reaffirming his confidence in the university’s leadership, the Asantehene urged management to steer the institution from excellence to global eminence.
He further appealed to the government to grant financial clearance to enable the university to recruit essential staff, warning that delays could affect its core mandates of teaching, research, and service.
The 59th Special Congregation ceremony brought together graduating students and key stakeholders to celebrate academic achievement and chart a forward-looking path for one of Ghana’s leading institutions.
The special congregation ceremony, which began on Wednesday, March 25, and ended on March 28, 2026, saw a total of 8,377 students graduate, including 300 postgraduate students at the start. Of this number, 3,136 (37%) were undergraduate students, while 5,241 (63%) were postgraduate students. Additionally, 71 graduates received PhD certificates, including 20 females.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
