Cut public university council members from 17 to 9 – Government proposes

The government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Education, has proposed a reduction in the number of members serving on the Governing Councils of the various public universities.

At the moment, the membership is made up of 17 members out of which 9 are from the university, but the government says the number should be reduced to between 9 and 13.

Explaining the content of the Draft Public Universities Bill at a forum on Friday, 14 June 2019, the Minister of Education, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, said: “Majority of the existing provisions stipulate 17 members, out of which 9 members are from within the university."

“The University of Ghana has extra provision for the appointment of 6 others from outside the university, including the Vice-Chancellor of an African university. The proposal is to limit the number to between 9 and 13. This is to make the number more manageable and effective and to reduce cost."

"The Councils may, however, co-opt extra hands to assist in deliberations. It is also proposed that in line with corporate best practice, the majority of the members come from outside the university”.

On the term of office of the Council, the minister said: “This provision varies between 2 and 3 years for members other than the Vice-Chancellor (ex-officio member). 3 years is common in the more recent Acts. There is no separate provision for staff and student representatives”.

“The proposal is to harmonize the provision to 3 years, at least. Two (2) years is impractical, given the lead time in the appointment of Councils and it barely allows enough time for members to have sufficient orientation and acquaint themselves with the university to enable them to become effective. It will also be consistent with more recent practice.”