By Ebenezer Chike Adjei NJOKU
A business leader and technologist, Sammy Crabbe, has proposed a comprehensive digital platform to govern appointments in public universities, arguing that it would eliminate favouritism and political interference in senior leadership selections.
The proposed system would make public the criteria for appointments, details of candidate applications, scoring frameworks, and the rationale behind final decisions. It would apply to positions such as vice-chancellors, registrars, and other top administrators across Ghana’s 15 public universities.
“We all say we want meritocracy, but it won’t happen just by talking about it — it needs real systems to back it up,” Mr. Crabbe said, describing the initiative as a significant governance reform for the tertiary education sector.
Ghana’s public universities oversee assets estimated at over GH¢8 billion and employ more than 25,000 staff, enrolling approximately 180,000 students — around 60 percent of the country’s tertiary population. Leadership decisions in this context, analysts say, have both educational and economic implications.
Concerns over political interference in public university governance have been persistent. The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has repeatedly called for greater transparency in the appointment process, with allegations that political considerations often outweigh academic qualifications.
Mr. Crabbe’s proposal includes the introduction of performance-based contracts, linking leadership tenure to specific outcomes such as research output, graduate employment rates, and financial stability. “Imagine a university or public agency where leaders are chosen because they are proven doers, not just well-connected,” he said.
The current appointment framework operates through university governing councils appointed by the President. Selection criteria are not made public, and the process lacks structured mechanisms for stakeholder scrutiny. Recent controversies, including the legal challenges surrounding the 2021 vice-chancellor selection at the University of Cape Coast and protests at the University for Development Studies, have underscored structural deficiencies.
Mr. Crabbe draws inspiration from international models. New Zealand’s State Services Commission and Singapore’s Public Service Commission operate appointment systems grounded in meritocracy and transparency, contributing to strong governance reputations. Australian and Canadian universities also provide performance measurement frameworks that combine academic and operational metrics.
According to preliminary estimates, the cost of developing and maintaining such a digital platform in Ghana could reach GH¢50 million over five years. This would include technology development, staff training, and administrative support. However, advocates argue that the potential economic and educational returns may outweigh the initial investment. Ghana’s existing digital infrastructure may support the proposed reforms. The government’s rollout of platforms such as Ghana.gov and various e-governance tools under its digital transformation programme has demonstrated the feasibility of public-sector digital solutions.
Private sector voices have also weighed in on the need for stronger leadership in higher education. The Ghana Employers Association has linked capable leadership in public institutions to improved investor confidence and more effective partnerships between academia and industry. The Association of Ghana Industries has expressed concerns over the quality of graduates, indicating that improved university management could enhance workforce readiness.
The proposal is consistent with wider development partner agendas. The World Bank’s Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project and the Millennium Challenge Corporation have both highlighted the importance of governance in securing education and economic outcomes. While advocates of academic autonomy have generally supported merit-based appointments, they have cautioned against reforms that may erode university independence. The National Council for Tertiary Education has previously endorsed principles of transparency, though it has yet to back a specific implementation framework.
Mr. Crabbe’s recommendation situates governance reform at the centre of national competitiveness. Ghana ranked 72nd out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, a position some observers argue reflects the urgency of institutional reform.
Though initially focused on public universities, the proposal could have wider implications for public-sector recruitment, potentially reshaping appointments across ministries, agencies, and state enterprises. Such reform, however, would require broad legislative backing and sustained political commitment beyond electoral cycles. “Imagine how far-reaching such reforms could be,” he noted.
