A Kumasi High Court has rejected an application for an interlocutory injunction intended to block the tenure extension of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson. The second term of Prof. Dickson is set to begin on August 1, 2024.

Clement Kofi Ohene Asare, who filed the application, sought to prevent Prof. Dickson’s reappointment. However, Justice Frederick Tetteh dismissed the application, stating it lacked merit and questioning Asare's claim of being an alumnus of the university. Asare failed to provide convincing evidence of his status as a former student.

During court proceedings, the plaintiff's counsel argued that the reappointment process was “procedurally wrong” according to university statutes. The counsel highlighted that the proper procedure involves a seven-member Search Committee to identify candidates and an open advertisement for the Vice Chancellor position, which were allegedly not followed.

The defense counsel, representing the university and the Vice Chancellor, countered these claims, asserting that the reappointment process adhered to the university’s statutes.

Following the court’s dismissal of the injunction application, the plaintiff filed a stay of execution and an appeal against the decision. A confrontation occurred at the court premises when the bailiff attempted to serve the university’s lawyers, who insisted on being served officially at the university.

The court ordered the plaintiff to pay a cost of 9,000 Ghana cedis. Dr. Noris Bekoe, the University Relations Officer, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision and encouraged resolving disputes amicably without resorting to legal actions.

In the meantime, another university staff member has filed a similar suit seeking to block the Vice Chancellor's reappointment.