The search for a new leader at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi is officially underway.

The university has initiated the process to find a successor for Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, whose distinguished two-term tenure as the institution’s first female Vice-Chancellor concludes in July 2026.

Application and Selection Process:
In anticipation of the transition, the KNUST Council opened advertisements for the position in February.

Prospective candidates have until the end of March 2026 to submit their credentials and vision statements for review.

Following the deadline, the Council will oversee a rigorous assessment process, including shortlisting and formal interviews, to determine who will lead Ghana’s premier science and technology university.

Potential Successors:

Insiders suggest that the race is already heating up.

Currently, approximately nine individuals are rumored to have expressed interest or formally submitted applications.

Notable names mentioned in academic circles include:

Prof. Christian Agyare:
Provost of the College of Health Sciences.

Prof. Rexford Assasie-Oppong:
Senior-Most Professor of Architecture.

Prof. Poku Boansi:
Director of the School of Graduate Studies.

Prof. Charles Ofosu Marfo:
Former President of UTAG and renowned academic.

Other prominent figures linked to the role include Prof. Marian Asantewaa Nkansah (Director of Student Affairs), Prof. Edward Brenyah (Political Scientist), Prof. Kwabena Biritwum, Prof. Abavare, and Prof. Jerry John Kponyo.

The Frontrunners:

While the University Council remains the ultimate deciding body, three candidates are currently tipped as the top contenders: Prof. Rexford Assasie-Oppong, Prof. Christian Agyare, and Prof. Poku Boansi.

Institutional Memory:

Supporters of Prof. Assasie-Oppong point to his extensive service on the KNUST Governing Council.

They argue his deep understanding of university statutes and “moral stability” make him a natural fit for the role.

Managerial Excellence:

All three frontrunners are credited with the administrative experience necessary to elevate the KNUST brand across the African continent.

Political Undertones:

As is common with high-profile academic appointments, subtle external influences are reportedly at play.

Sources indicate that some affiliates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are advocating for Prof. Edward Brenyah, citing his policy expertise and potential to align university administration with broader national development goals.

The coming months will be pivotal as the search committee narrows down the list to find the visionary leader capable of following in Professor Dickson’s historic footsteps.

Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie,

Kumasi.