University of Ghana Act, 1961 Act 79 (Revised Edition)

ACT 79
University of Ghana Act, 1961
ACT 79
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA ACT, 1961
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
The University
SECTION
1. Establishment of the University.
2. Aims.
3. Principal officers.
4. The Chancellor.
5. The chairman of the University Council.
6. The Vice-Chancellor.
Administration
7. The University Council.
8. The Academic Board.
9. The 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. The Univeisity Statutes.
16. Abolition of the University College of Ghana.
17. Transitional provisions.
18. Commencement.
SCHEDULE
University Council
ACT 79
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA ACT, 19611
AN ACT to establish the University of Ghana in place of the University College of
Ghana.
1. The Act was assented to on 22nd August, 1961 and came into force on 1st October, 1961.
VII —3551 (Issue 1]

lace of the University College of
Ghana.
1. The Act was assented to on 22nd August, 1961 and came into force on 1st October, 1961.
VII —3551 (Issue 1]

ACT 79
University of Ghana Act, 1961
The University
1. Establishment of the University
(1) There is hereby established a University under the name of the University of
Ghana. (2) The University is a body corporate, with peipetual 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.

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 in
accordance with the following principles:
(a) 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) the 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 of the people of Ghana;
(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 any other problems which exist
in the Republic or elsewhere in Africa;
() 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 any other cultural institutions, whether within the
Republic or outside.

y should develop close relationships with the people of
the Republic and with any other cultural institutions, whether within the
Republic 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. [Issue 1] VII — 3552

ers
The principal officers of the University are the Chancellor, the chairman of the Uni
versity Council and the Vice-Chancellor. [Issue 1] VII — 3552

ACT 79
University of Ghana Act, 1961
4. The Chancellor
The Chancellor as head of the University shall be appointed by the President acting in
accordance with the advice of the University Council.2
5. The chairman of the 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. The Vice-Chancellor
(1) The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the University Council and, under the
Council, is 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. Administration
7.

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

The University Council
(1) The governing body of the University is the University Council consisting of:
(a) the principal officers of the University,
(b) four persons appointed by the Chancellor,
(c) the secretary of the National Council for Higher Education and Research,
(d) one person elected by a body appearing to the Chancellor to be a represen
tative of heads of secondary schools,
(e) one person elected by the University Council who is a member of the sen
ior staff of another university or similar- institution in an African country
other than Ghana,
(f) one person elected by the University Council who is a member of the sen
ior staff of another university or similar institution outside Africa,
(g) four persons elected by members of the staff of the University in accor
dance with the Statues of the University. (2) The Schedule shall apply with respect to the members and meetings of the Uni
versity Council. 2. Article 68 of the Constitution debars the President as Head of State from holding the office of Chancellor of
a University. Vn —3553 [Issue 1]

cil. 2. Article 68 of the Constitution debars the President as Head of State from holding the office of Chancellor of
a University. Vn —3553 [Issue 1]

ACT 79
University of Ghana Act, 1961
8. The Academic Board
(1) There shall be an Academic Board, which is 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. (3) The Academic Board consists of the Vice-Chancellor and at least nine other per
sons drawn from the academic staff in accordance with the Statutes of the University. 9. The Registrar
There shall be a Registrar to the University, who shall be appointed by, and act as sec
retary to, the University Council. 10.

rsity. 9. The 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 the University Council
The University Council may do or provide for an act or a 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 functions on the Council by any other provision of this
Act does not limit the generality of this section. 11. Internal organisation of the University
(1) The University Council may make 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 Accra or elsewhere;
(b) professorships, lectureships and any other posts, whether academic, admin
istrative or otherwise;
(c) fellowships, 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. [Issue 1] VII — 3554

mic matters, the Council shall exercise the powers referred to in subsection (1) only
after consultation with the Academic Board. [Issue 1] VII — 3554

ACT 79
University of Ghana Act, 1961
12. Property and contracts
(1) The University may, for the purposes of performance of the functions of the Uni
versity, 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
Public Services, and the State Property and Contracts Act, 1960 (C.A. 6) shall apply 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 draw up the accounts of the University, which shall be
audited 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.

ance 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
draw up a report of the activities of the University during that year and shall make the
report available to the public. 15. The University Statutes
(1) The University Council may enact Statutes for carrying this 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) ensuring that the seal of the University is kept in proper custody and is used
only on the authority of the University Council.

he University; and
(d) ensuring that the seal of the University is kept in proper custody and is used
only on the authority of the University Council.

(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; and
(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
VII — 3555 [Issue 1]

, to the members of the Academic Board at least seven
days before the meeting at which it is proposed to confirm the Statute; and
VII — 3555 [Issue 1]

ACT 79
University of Ghana Act, 1961
(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. Abolition of the University College of Ghana
(1) The University College of Ghana is hereby abolished and the body corporate
styled as the Council of the University College of Ghana is hereby dissolved. (2) The property which at the commencement of this Act was vested in the Council
of the University College of Ghana or was in any other manner held on behalf of, or for
the purposes of, the University College of Ghana, shall by virtue of this Act 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 University College of Ghana has ef
fect as if entered into by the University, and the obligations subsisting against the Council
shall continue to subsist against the University.

has ef
fect as if entered into by the University, and the obligations subsisting against the Council
shall continue to subsist against the University.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to a contract of employment, but in respect of a
contract which was subsisting at the commencement of this Act and was not then termi
nable at the instance of the Council by reason that the employed person had committed
misconduct, or by reason of any other event that had occurred, the following provisions
shall have effect:
(a) unless the employed person has been offered equivalent employment in the
Republic, the employed person is entitled to compensation of an amount
equal to the amount to which the employed person would have been enti
tled by way of damages if the employed person had been dismissed by the
Council and this Act had not passed;
(b) the amount of compensation shall, subject to paragraph (c), be assessed by
the Minister responsible for Finance, and shall be paid by the Accountant
General out of moneys provided by Parliament;
(c) if a dispute arises as to whether the employed person has been offered
equivalent employment in the Republic, or as to the amount of compensation
assessed by the Minister, the dispute shall be determined by arbitration;
(d) where a dispute is to be determined by arbitration, the University Council
shall appoint an arbitrator; and where the dispute is as to whether the em
ployed person has been offered equivalent employment in the Republic the
arbitrator, and if the arbitrator finds that an offer was not made, the award
shall include a finding of the amount of compensation payable.

ublic the
arbitrator, and if the arbitrator finds that an offer was not made, the award
shall include a finding of the amount of compensation payable.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), an employed person has been offered equiva
lent employment in the Republic if the employed person has been offered employment in
the University of Ghana or in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technol
ogy, Kumasi on terms and conditions which in their totality are not less favourable to the
employed person than the terms and conditions of employment with the University Col
lege of Ghana. (6) 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 University College of Ghana shall continue as nearly as may be in relation to the
University. [Issue 1] VI — 3556

r matters and things relating to
the University College of Ghana shall continue as nearly as may be in relation to the
University. [Issue 1] VI — 3556

ACT 79
University of Ghana Act, 1961
17. Transitional provisions
Spent.3
18. Commencement
Spent.4
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. 2. Where an appointed or elected member, other than a member elected by the Council,
is absent from the Republic for a continuous period of twelve months, the office of that mem
ber 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 sub
stitute may be appointed or elected in the same manner to act during that member’s absence. 5. An appointment or election may be made in anticipation of the vacation of office or
temporary absence of a member. 3.

during that member’s absence. 5. An appointment or election may be made in anticipation of the vacation of office or
temporary absence of a member. 3.

The section provided that,
“(1) Until the date of the first meeting of the University Council, the body appointed by the Piesident and
known as the Interim Council of the University of Accra shall have and exeicise all the functions
conferred by this Act on the University Council, and any act done by the said Interim Council befoie
that date (whether before or after the commencement of this Act) shall have the similar 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 arangements made by
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.

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
Univeisity Council to be appointed or elected under section 7 of this Act shall be one year only in the
case of the following, who shall nevertheless be eligible foi re-appointment or ic-election:
(i) two persons nominated by the chancellor out of the four appointed by him,
(ii) the person elected by a body iepiesentatve of heads of secondary schools, and
(in) the two persons with the lowest number of votes out of the four elected by members of the staff
of the Univeisity, the choice being by lot in the case of equal votes. (4) The University Council—
(a) shall enact the Statute referred to in section 7 (1) (g) of this Act within one yeat after the
commencement theieof;
(b) shall enact the Statutes referred to in sections 6 (3) and 8 (3) of this Act within three months
after the commencement thereof.”
4. The section provided for the issue of a legislative instrument by the President to appoint a date for the
commencement. The University of Ghana Act, 1961 (Commencement) Instrument, 1961 (L.I.

egislative instrument by the President to appoint a date for the
commencement. The University of Ghana Act, 1961 (Commencement) Instrument, 1961 (L.I.

146) ap
pointed the 1st day of October, 1961 as the date on which this Act shall come into operation. Vn — 3557 [Issue 1]

146) ap
pointed the 1st day of October, 1961 as the date on which this Act shall come into operation. Vn — 3557 [Issue 1]

ACT 79
University of Ghana Act, 1961
SCHEDULE—continued
6. A member whose office has or will become vacant is eligible for reappointment 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. 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.

nvened 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. [Issue 11 VII—3558