Concerned students of Central University call for immediate handover to newly elected executives

Some concerned students of the Central University are calling on the institution’s administration to, as a matter of urgency, ensure the smooth handing over of the student administration from the current leadership to the newly elected executives.

The calls come after the stalled handing over process following a standoff in the recently held SRC elections.

“The call that we’re making is we’re asking [for] an immediate handing over to the newly elected executives so that the SRC administration can move on,” a concerned student who pleaded for anonymity told this reporter. “Right now, the only thing we’re looking for is the handing over.”

He added: "After an election is conducted and election disputes resolved, the only thing constitutionally left is that a handing over ceremony is conducted and the newly elected executives are sworn in…right now, we’re even done with the first semester of the academic year and we’re in the second semester and we should’ve had leadership all this while…the delay basically will cause a derail in student leadership and student governance."

The Central University SRC elections for 2025 emerged as a complex narrative of democratic processes and institutional challenges. The electoral journey began with an initial online voting process that was invalidated due to serious allegations of email tampering.

In a controversial pre-election investigation, management summoned candidates Mr. Jephtah Adjei and Mr. Lancelott Ben-Akiem to address email manipulation concerns. Surprisingly, only Jephtah was barred from running despite both being under investigation, setting an unusual precedent for the electoral process.

Election Results

On February 1, 2025, in-person elections were held with Mr. Dajonang Damyeni polling 496 votes (51.77%), followed closely by Mr. Lancelott Ben-Akiem with 462 votes (48.22%).

Mr. Damyeni's narrow victory reflected the deeply contested nature of the election, with just 34 votes separating the two candidates.

Judicial Review and Petition

Following the election, Mr. Ben-Akiem filed a petition challenging the results, specifically alleging irregularities at the Kumasi Campus polling station. The Judicial Council conducted a comprehensive investigation that went far beyond a simple review of voting procedures. Witness testimonies, audio recordings, and detailed electoral documentation were meticulously examined.

The investigation took an unexpected turn when audio recordings revealed attempts by Ben-Akiem to allegedly manipulate election results. In one particularly damning excerpt, Mr. Ben-Akiem was allegedly heard explicitly requesting the manipulation of voting figures to secure his victory. This evidence significantly undermined the credibility of his initial allegations.

Judicial Council's Verdict

On February 9, 2025, the Judicial Council delivered a decisive judgment that comprehensively addressed the electoral disputes. Not only did the council confirm, Mr. Damyeni is the legitimate President-elect, but it also imposed a 10,000 Ghana cedis fine on Ben-Akiem's team for attempting to manipulate the electoral process.

Transition Challenges

The path to leadership transition became increasingly complicated. What should have been a straightforward handover process transformed into a complex administrative and constitutional challenge. Mr. Damyeni requested an extension for the handover ceremony on February 11, which was immediately followed by university management's directive on February 12, canceling the planned handover.

By February 17, management had established an interim leadership arrangement, effectively prolonging the uncertainty surrounding the SRC leadership. This intervention raised significant questions about the autonomy of student governance and the boundaries of administrative intervention.

Escalating Tensions

A critical meeting on February 24 brought together the university management, the Judicial Council, candidates, and the Electoral Commission. What was intended as a dialogue quickly devolved into a confrontational encounter. Management representatives reportedly criticized the Judicial Council, suggesting that "proper people" should be appointed in the future and questioning the council's decision-making processes.

Most controversially, management proposed cancelling the Kumasi Campus election results without holding a re-election. This suggestion would effectively disenfranchise an entire campus of students and, mathematically, would benefit Mr. Ben-Akiem—the very candidate found to have engaged in electoral malpractice.

Constitutional and Governance Implications

The prolonged dispute revealed deep-seated tensions between student governance autonomy, university management's oversight, and the Judicial Council's constitutional role. The Judicial Council consistently argued for the SRC's constitutional right to independent governance, emphasizing the importance of allowing the student body to determine its leadership through democratic processes.

Current Status

As of the latest information, Mr. Dajonang Damyeni remains the Judicial Council-confirmed President-elect, though the transition to office continues to face administrative challenges. The situation has evolved from a simple election into a complex exploration of democratic principles, institutional authority, and student representation.

Conclusion

The Central University SRC election saga underscores the delicate nature of democratic processes within academic institutions. It highlights the critical importance of transparent, fair, and respectful electoral procedures and the ongoing challenge of balancing student representation with institutional governance.

The university community continues to navigate these challenges, seeking a resolution that respects both the democratic will of students and the broader institutional requirements. What began as a local election has transformed into a significant test of democratic principles, institutional integrity, and student governance.