The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called on the government to approve financial clearance to enable the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to recruit additional lecturers, highlighting the urgent need to reduce the high lecturer-student ratio at the university.
Speaking at the 59th congregation of postgraduate students, where 221 Doctor of Philosophy degrees and six honorary degrees were conferred, Otumfuo Osei Tutu noted that the current lecturer-student ratio of 1:67 has placed an overwhelming burden on existing faculty, potentially compromising the quality of teaching, learning, and mentorship.
“Recruiting more lecturers will not only ease the workload on current staff but also enhance students’ academic performance and equip them to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world,” he said.
The Asantehene also commended the government for fulfilling its financial commitments to KNUST’s ongoing infrastructure projects, particularly the completion of the Teaching Hospital. He lauded the release of GHS 46 million for construction and USD 38 million from GETFund for equipping the hospital, which will serve both the community and medical students as a training facility.
In addition to educational concerns, Otumfuo Osei Tutu addressed the issue of land encroachment, describing KNUST lands as a sacred legacy. He warned that no family head or chief has the authority to sell the school land and advised legal practitioners to thoroughly investigate any cases before taking them to court, cautioning that disputes over the land are “fighting a lost battle.”
Addressing the graduates directly, the Asantehene encouraged them to lead with integrity, innovation, and compassion, noting that the true value of education is measured by the positive impact one brings to the lives of others.
His appeal underscores the intertwined challenges of higher education in Ghana: balancing lecturer capacity, safeguarding university assets, and ensuring students receive quality education and mentorship.
