Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Act, 1961 Act 80

ACT 80
Kwame Nkrumah University ofScience and Technology, Kumasi Act, 1961
ACT 80
KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY, KUMASI ACT, 1961
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
The University
SECTION
1. Establishment of the University. 2. Aims. 3. Principal officers. 4. Chancellor. Administration
5. Chairman of University Council. 6. Vice-Chancellor. 7. University Council. 8. Academic Board. 9. Registrar. 10. General powers of the University Council. 11. Internal organisation of the University. 12. Property and contracts. Financial and Miscellaneous
13. Accounts. 14. Annual report. 15. University Statutes. 16. Abolition of the Kumasi College of Technology. 17. Transitional provisions. 18. Commencement. SCHEDULE
University Council
ACT 80
KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY, KUMASI ACT, 1961’
AN ACT to establish the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,
Kumasi in place of the Kumasi College of Technology. 1. The Act was assented to on 22nd August, 1961. The short title to the 1961 Act which established this Uni
versity was the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Act, 1961 (Act 80).

ust, 1961. The short title to the 1961 Act which established this Uni
versity was the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Act, 1961 (Act 80).

The short title was
changed to the present short title by the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (Amendment)
Act, 1998 (Act 559). V - 2251 [Issue 1]

t title was
changed to the present short title by the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (Amendment)
Act, 1998 (Act 559). V - 2251 [Issue 1]

ACT 80
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Act, 1961
The University
1. Establishment of University
(1) There is hereby established a university under the name of the Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.2
(2) The University is a body corporate, with perpetual succession and a common seal
and may sue and be sued in its corporate name. (3) Without prejudice to its other powers, the University may award its own degrees. 2.

d a common seal
and may sue and be sued in its corporate name. (3) Without prejudice to its other powers, the University may award its own degrees. 2.

Aims
The aims of the University are to provide higher education, to undertake research, to
disseminate knowledge and to foster relationships with outside persons and bodies; and to
do so in accordance with the following principles,
(«) that in determining the subjects to be taught emphasis should be placed on
those which are of special relevance to the needs and aspirations of Ghana
ians, including the furtherance of African unity;
(b) that higher education should be available to Ghanaians who are capable of
benefiting from it;
(c) that so far as practicable students should be given an understanding of
world affairs, and in particular of the histories, institutions and cultures of
African civilisations;
(d) that students should be taught methods of critical and independent thought,
while being made aware that they have a responsibility to use their educa
tion for the general benefit;
(e) that research should be undertaken in the subjects which are taught in the
University, but with special attention to subjects which relate to the social,
cultural, economic, scientific, technical and other problems which exist in
the Republic or elsewhere in Africa;
(f) that opportunities for higher education and research should be provided for
students from other countries, particularly countries in Africa;
(g) that the fruits of research, and knowledge generally, should be spread abroad
by the publication of books and papers and by any other suitable means;
(h) that the University should develop close relationships with the people of
the Republic and with other cultural institutions, whether within the Repub
lic or outside.

sity should develop close relationships with the people of
the Republic and with other cultural institutions, whether within the Repub
lic or outside.

3. Principal Officers
The principal officers of the University are the Chancellor, the chairman of the Uni
versity Council and the Vice-Chancellor. 2. Amended by (he University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (Amendment) Act, 1998 (Act 559). [Issue 1] V - 2252

ty Council and the Vice-Chancellor. 2. Amended by (he University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (Amendment) Act, 1998 (Act 559). [Issue 1] V - 2252

ACT 80
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Act, 1961
4. Chancellor
The Chancellor as the head of the University shall be appointed by the President act
ing in accordance with the advice of the University Council? Administration
5. Chairman of University Council
The chairman of the University Council shall be appointed by the Chancellor and
shall act for the Chancellor in the absence of the Chancellor. 6. Vice-Chancellor
(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the University Council, and is under
the Council, the academic and administrative head and chief disciplinary officer of the
University. (2) A person shall not be appointed as Vice-Chancellor unless the appointment has
been approved by the Chancellor. (3) A Pro-Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the University Council in accor
dance with the Statutes of the University. (4) A Pro-Vice-Chancellor shall act as Vice-Chancellor when the post of Vice
Chancellor is vacant or the Vice-Chancellor is absent or is unable to act. 7.

A Pro-Vice-Chancellor shall act as Vice-Chancellor when the post of Vice
Chancellor is vacant or the Vice-Chancellor is absent or is unable to act. 7.

University Council
(1) The governing body of the University is the University Council consisting of
(a) the chairman,
(b) the Vice-Chancellor,
(c) two representatives of Convocation, one of professorial status and one of
non-professorial status,
(d) one representative of the University Teachers Association,
(e) one representative of the under-graduate students of the University,
(f) one representative of the post-graduate students of the University,
(g) one representative of the Committee for the Defence of the Revolution of
the University,
(h) one representative of the Teachers and Education Workers Union,
(i) one representative of the Education Commission,
(j) one representative of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary
Schools,
3. Article 68 of the Constitution debars the President as Head of State from holding the office of Chancellor of
a University
V-2253 [Issue 1]

chools,
3. Article 68 of the Constitution debars the President as Head of State from holding the office of Chancellor of
a University
V-2253 [Issue 1]

ACT 80
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Act, 1961
(k) one representative of the Alumni Association of the University, and
(I) three other persons including at least one woman.4
(2) The Schedule shall apply with respect to the members and meetings of the Uni
versity Council. 8. Academic Board
(1) There shall be an Academic Board, which shall be responsible, under the University
Council, for
(a) formulating and carrying out the academic policy of the University;
(b) devising and regulating courses of instruction and study, and supervising
research;
(c) regulating the conduct of examinations and the award of degrees, diplomas
and certificates;
(d) advising the University Council on the admission of students and the award
of scholarships;
(e) reporting on the matters that are referred to it by the University Council. (2) The Academic Board may make representations to the University Council on a
matter connected with the University, and shall perform any other functions conferred on
it by the Statutes of the University.

University Council on a
matter connected with the University, and shall perform any other functions conferred on
it by the Statutes of the University.

(3) The Academic Board shall consist of the Vice-Chancellor and at least nine other
persons drawn from the academic staff in accordance with the Statutes of the University. 9. Registrar
There shall be a Registrar to the University, who shall be appointed by, and act as sec
retary to, the University Council. 10. General powers of University Council
The University Council may do or provide for an act or thing in relation to the Uni
versity which it considers necessary or expedient in its capacity as the governing body,
and the conferring of particular powers on the Council by any other provision of this Act
does not limit the generality of this section. 11. Internal organisation of University
(1) The University Council may make the arrangements for the internal organisation
of the University, including the establishment, variation and supervision of
(a) the halls of residence, faculties, institutes, schools, departments and any
other bodies, whether in Kumasi or elsewhere;
4. Amended by the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (Amendment) Law, 1990
(P.N.D.C.L. 240). [Issue 1] V-2254

hether in Kumasi or elsewhere;
4. Amended by the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (Amendment) Law, 1990
(P.N.D.C.L. 240). [Issue 1] V-2254

ACT 80
Kwame Nkrumah University ofScience and Technology, Kumasi Act, 1961
(b) professorships, lectureships and any other posts, whether academic, admin
istrative or otherwise;
(c) fellowship, bursaries, exhibitions, scholarships, prizes, honorary degrees
and any other awards. (2) In so far as they relate to matters which in the opinion of the Council are aca
demic matters, the Council shall exercise the powers referred to in subsection (1) only
after consultation with the Academic Board. 12. Property and contracts
(1) The University may for a purpose which in the opinion of the University Council
is necessary or expedient for or in connection with the performance of the functions of
the University, acquire and hold moveable or immoveable property, sell, lease, mortgage
or otherwise alienate or dispose of that property, and to enter into any other transaction. (2) Where the University Council resolves that it is necessary or expedient to acquire
property under subsection (1) the property may be treated as property required for the Pub
lic Services, and the State Property and Contracts Act, 1960 (C.A.

y under subsection (1) the property may be treated as property required for the Pub
lic Services, and the State Property and Contracts Act, 1960 (C.A.

6) shall apply accord
ingly with the modifications that are necessary to provide for the vesting of the property
acquired in the University and for the cost of acquisition to be defrayed by the University. Financial and Miscellaneous
13. Accounts . The University Council shall cause the accounts of the University to be drawn up, au
dited in accordance with article 187 of the Constitution, and published annually at the
times and in the manner directed by the Minister responsible for Finance. 14. Annual report
Within six months after the end of each academic year the University Council shall
cause a report of the activities of the University during that year to be drawn up and made
available to the public. 15.

the University Council shall
cause a report of the activities of the University during that year to be drawn up and made
available to the public. 15.

University Statutes
(1) The University Council may enact Statues for carrying the Act into effect and in
particular for
(a) regulating the appointment, conditions of service, termination of appointment
and retirement benefits of the staff of the University, and for determining the
persons who form the academic staff for the purposes of this Act;
(b) determining the persons who are authorised to sign contracts, cheques and
any other documents on behalf of the University, and otherwise regulating
procedure in relation to transactions entered into by the University;
(c) fixing the academic year of the University; and
(d) securing that the seal of the University is kept in proper custody and is used
only on the authority of the University Council. V - 2255 [Issue 1]

(d) securing that the seal of the University is kept in proper custody and is used
only on the authority of the University Council. V - 2255 [Issue 1]

ACT 80
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Act, 1961
(2) A Statute of the University is enacted if,
(a) a draft of the Statute has been circulated to the members of the University
Council at least fourteen days before the meeting at which it is to be con
sidered; and after consideration by the meeting the draft has been provi
sionally approved without amendment or only with amendments of which
notice in writing was circulated to the members at least three days before
the meeting;
(b) the Statute as provisionally approved has been circulated to the members of
the University Council, and where in the opinion of the Council it affects
academic matters, to the members of the Academic Board, at least seven
days before the meeting at which it is proposed to confirm the Statute; and
(c) the provisional Statute is confirmed without amendment at a meeting of the
University Council held not less than one month nor more than six months
after the meeting at which it was provisionally approved. 16.

meeting of the
University Council held not less than one month nor more than six months
after the meeting at which it was provisionally approved. 16.

Abolition of Kumasi College of Technology
(1) The Kumasi College of Technology is hereby abolished and the body corporate
styled the Council of the Kumasi College of Technology is hereby dissolved. (2) The property which at the commencement of this Act was vested in the Council
of the Kumasi College of Technology or was in any other manner held on behalf of, or
for the purposes of, the Kumasi College of Technology, shall by virtue of this Act simi
larly vest in or be held on behalf of, or for the purposes of, the University. (3) A contract entered into by the Council of the Kumasi College of Technology shall
have effect as if entered into by the University, and the obligations subsisting against the
Council shall continue to subsist against the University. (4) The Minister responsible for Finance may make a scheme for safeguarding the
pension rights of the staff of the Kumasi College of Technology. (5) Except where otherwise provided by this Act, and until otherwise provided in the
performance of functions conferred by this Act, any other matters and things relating to
the Kumasi College of Technology shall continue as nearly as may be in relation to the
University. 17.

s Act, any other matters and things relating to
the Kumasi College of Technology shall continue as nearly as may be in relation to the
University. 17.

Transitional provisions
Spent.5
5. The section provided that, ,
“(1) Until the date of the first meeting of the University Council, the body appointed by the President and
known as the Interim Council of the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi shall have and
exercise all the functions conferred by this Act on the University Council, and any act done by the
said Interim Council before that date (whether before or after the commencement of this Act) shall
have the like effect as if done by the University Council. (2) For the purpose of determining the composition of the University Council in the first instance, para
graph (g) of section 7 of this Act shall not apply and the four members therein referred to shall be
elected before the first meeting of the University Council in accordance with arrangements made by
footnote continued on next page
[Issue 1] V - 2256

elected before the first meeting of the University Council in accordance with arrangements made by
footnote continued on next page
[Issue 1] V - 2256

ACT 80
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Act, 1961
18. Commencement
Spent.6
SCHEDULE
University Council
Members
1. The term of office of a person who is a member of the Council by appointment or
election is two years, but a person so appointed is eligible for re-appointment.7
2. Where an appointment or elected member, other than a member elected by the Coun
cil, is absent from the Republic for a continuous period of twelve months, the office of that
member becomes vacant at the end of that period. 3. Where the office of an appointed or elected member becomes vacant on death or res
ignation, or by virtue of paragraph 2, a successor shall be appointed or elected in the same
manner to serve for the remainder of the term of office. 4. Where an appointed or elected member is temporarily absent from the Republic a
substitute may be appointed or elected in the same manner to act during that absence. 5. An appointment or election may be made in anticipation of the vacation of office or
temporary absence of a member. 6. A member whose office has or will become vacant is eligible for re-appointment or
re-election. 7.

ation of office or
temporary absence of a member. 6. A member whose office has or will become vacant is eligible for re-appointment or
re-election. 7.

A member shall not hold office under more than one provision of section 7 of this
Act, and if a person is appointed or elected under more than one provision that person shall
choose one of those provisions under which to hold office and shall so notify the Council and
another person shall be appointed or elected under the other provision. the Interim Council and, notwithstanding anything in the Schedule to this Act, shall hold office for
one year only, but shall be eligible for re-election. (3) Notwithstanding anything in the Schedule to this Act, the term of office of the first members of the
University Council to be appointed for elected under section 7 of this Act shall be one year only in
the case of the following, who shall nevertheless be eligible for reappointment or re-election;
(i) two persons nominated by the Chancellor out of the four appointed by him;
(ii) the person elected by a body representative of heads of secondary schools;
(iii) the two persons with the lowest number of votes out of the four elected by members of the staff
of the University, the choice being by lot in the case of equal votes.

with the lowest number of votes out of the four elected by members of the staff
of the University, the choice being by lot in the case of equal votes.

(4) The University council—
(o) shall enact the statute referred to in section 7 (1) (g) of this Act within one year after the com
mencement thereof;
(b) shall enact the statutes referred to in sections 6 (3) and 8 (3) of this Act within three months
after the commencement thereof.”
6. The section provided for the issue of a legislative instrument by the President to appoint a date for the
commencement. The University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Act, 1961 (Commencement) Instru
ment, 1961 (L.I. 147) appointed the 1st day of October, 1961 as the date on which the University of Sci
ence and Technology, Kumasi shall come into operation. 7. Amended by the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (Amendment) Law, 1990 (P.N.D.C.L 240). V - 2257 (Issue 1]

si shall come into operation. 7. Amended by the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (Amendment) Law, 1990 (P.N.D.C.L 240). V - 2257 (Issue 1]

ACT 80 ,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi Act, 1961
8. An act of the Council shall not be invalidated by a vacancy in its membership or a de
fect in the appointment or election of any of its members. 9. A member of the Council is not entitled to remuneration in respect of membership, but a
member is entitled to the travelling and subsistence allowances determined by the Council. Meetings
10. The Council shall meet at least three times in every academic year. 11. A meeting may be convened by any of the principal officers of the University, and
shall be convened if eight members of the Council sign a requisition to that effect. 12. The Chancellor shall preside at meetings of the Council and in the absence of the
Chancellor the chairman of the Council shall act as chairman unless the chairman also is ab
sent, in which case the members present shall elect a chairman. 13. The quorum at meetings of the council is eight. 14. Questions shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast. 15. The chairman shall have an original vote and a casting vote. 16.

is eight. 14. Questions shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast. 15. The chairman shall have an original vote and a casting vote. 16.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar and a representative of Ministry of Educa
tion shall attend meetings of the Council but shall not vote on any matter before the Council.8
8. Amended by the University of Science and Technology, Kurhasi (Amendment) Law, 1990 (P.N.D.C.L. 240). [Issue 1] V - 2258