The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Senior High School (KNUST SHS) in Kumasi has confirmed the death of one of its candidates following a brief illness during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Management of the school said it is mourning with the bereaved family while ensuring that the remaining candidates are provided with the necessary support and a conducive environment to continue their examinations.

The school also reported that another registered candidate has discontinued schooling and is currently absent from the examinations.

In addition, a pregnant candidate successfully participated in the English Oral examination alongside her colleagues.

A total of 1,022 candidates from the school are sitting for this year’s WASSCE, as core subjects commenced nationwide.

The Assistant Headmaster (Academic) and Assistant Examination Supervisor, Agyekum Kwaku, described the conduct of the examination so far as smooth, noting that the institution maintains a strict culture of zero tolerance for examination malpractice.

He expressed satisfaction with the orderly nature of the exercise, adding that invigilators and supervisors were ensuring strict compliance with examination regulations.

Meanwhile, examination centres such as St Louis Senior High School and T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School also reported calm and orderly proceedings, as more than 500,000 candidates across the country continue with the nationwide WASSCE, the news team reported from Kumasi.

myjoyonline.com

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has appointed Professor Christian Agyare as its new Vice-Chancellor for a four-year term beginning August 1, 2026.

The appointment was announced in an official notice issued and signed by the Registrar, Benjamin B. Owusu, on May 13, 2026, following the University Council’s 292nd Special Meeting held on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the Council considered and accepted the report of the Search Committee for Vice-Chancellor before approving the appointment of Professor Agyare, a Professor of Pharmaceutics and current Provost of the College of Health Sciences at KNUST.

He is expected to serve as Vice-Chancellor from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2030.

The appointment comes amid heightened public interest in the university’s leadership transition following recent reports alleging political interference in the selection process, claims the university earlier dismissed as false and misleading.

KNUST had maintained that the process was being conducted professionally, transparently and in accordance with the institution’s established procedures.

Professor Agyare is widely recognised within academic and research circles for his contributions to pharmaceutical sciences and higher education administration.

citinewsroom.com

The government has constituted a committee comprising the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES), and university authorities to address growing concerns about the rising hostel accommodation fees across the country.

Speaking at the inauguration of governing councils for Jasikan College of Education and the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences on Tuesday, May 11, the minister cautioned that private partnerships in hostel development must not result in exorbitant charges for students.

He said there are ongoing public concerns about adjustments to hostel fees and explained that a committee involving the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), and vice-chancellors of universities will continue consultations aimed at reaching an amicable solution.

He stressed that the government will not allow private partnerships in education infrastructure to operate without safeguards, insisting that public interest and social values must guide the delivery of such services.

Government, he further emphasized, will ensure a socially responsible approach in the provision of public goods, reflecting broader social concerns in its implementation.

The minister also announced that the University of Engineering and Agricultural Sciences is expected to admit its first 800 students by October this year, adding that the government is also pursuing plans to establish additional universities, including one in the Western North Region.

He noted that proposals for the establishment of more public universities will be submitted to the president and government for policy guidance through the appropriate processes.

The minister further assured residents of the Western North Region that they are not being left out of the government’s plans for new universities, stressing that they remain part of ongoing considerations for the expansion of higher education infrastructure across the country.

myjoyonline.com