President Mahama Orders Probe into UENR Corruption Allegations Against Vice-Chancellor
President John Dramani Mahama has issued a directive to the Ministry of Education, instructing it to conduct a thorough investigation into various allegations of administrative abuse, corruption, and institutional misconduct at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), located in Sunyani.
This presidential directive comes in direct response to a detailed petition that was formally submitted to the Presidency on July 3, 2025, by a collective group of concerned staff members from the university, along with an array of supporting documents that meticulously outline a comprehensive set of grievances specifically targeted against the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako.
The petition itself bears the signatures of numerous academic and administrative personnel, among them Rev. Ing. Prof. Eric Ofosu-Antwi, who serves as the Director of the Regional Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (RCEES) and also holds the position of UTAG President at UENR; Rev. Dr. Gilbert Mensah, a Senior Software Programmer; Mr. Selorm Anku Ankudey, a Principal Library Assistant; Surv. Kwaku Obeng Mireku Esq., an Assistant Estate Officer; Prof. Charles Adarkwah from the School of Agriculture at the Dormaa Campus; and Mr. Robert Abraham Quainoo, a Chief Administrative Assistant — all of whom have collectively accused the Vice-Chancellor of cultivating and perpetuating a “culture of silence” alongside widespread systemic mismanagement within the institution.
According to the petitioners, in stark contrast to the administrations of the previous Vice-Chancellors, namely Prof. (Mrs.) Esi Awuah and Prof. Harrison Dapaah — whose tenures they portray as exemplars of transparency and peaceful governance — the present leadership under Prof. Asare-Bediako has been characterized by rampant abuses in the processes of staff transfers and promotions, retaliatory actions directed at whistleblowers, significantly high rates of staff attrition, corrupt practices embedded in procurement procedures and student admissions, extensive financial mismanagement, and deliberate suppression of key oversight entities, including the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and the Internal Audit Unit.
Furthermore, the petitioners assert that under the leadership of Prof. Asare-Bediako, unlawful dismissals of employees, outright denials of entitled leave periods, and pervasive intimidation tactics against staff members have unfortunately become commonplace and normalized occurrences.
One of the central and most contentious issues raised in the petition revolves around the protracted dispute concerning the African Centre of Excellence (ACE) project, which is alternatively referred to as the Regional Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (RCEES). Here, the Vice-Chancellor stands accused of making repeated and persistent attempts to remove Prof. Ofosu-Antwi from his directorial role, notwithstanding the international acclaim and recognition afforded to Prof. Ofosu-Antwi’s effective leadership in this capacity.
As explicitly noted within the petition, these actions have culminated in the filing of a legal suit in June 2025, thereby posing a serious risk to the university’s continued eligibility for securing a substantial second-phase ACE grant valued at $6 million.
In addition, the petition draws particular attention to the individual plight of Mr. Robert Abraham Quainoo, who previously held the position of Chief Administrative Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor and was allegedly subjected to ongoing harassment followed by a dismissal that lacked any semblance of due process, ultimately compelling him to seek relocation and resettlement in Germany.
Moreover, the document references the persistent obstacles encountered by UENR’s founding Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs.) Esi Awuah, in her efforts to advance and implement a $1 million Centre of Competence for Digital Education — a critical initiative that has reportedly remained stalled and unimplemented for a full four years.
Concerns Over Student Deaths
Extending beyond administrative and financial matters, the petition additionally alleges the occurrence of 12 unexplained student deaths throughout the year 2024, urgently calling for an immediate and in-depth investigation into the precise circumstances and potential causes surrounding each of these tragic fatalities.
Reliefs Sought
In terms of the specific remedies and actions demanded, the petitioners are formally requesting:
- The immediate suspension pending full investigation of all management members who have been implicated in the allegations.
2. A comprehensive and independent audit encompassing all financial operations, procurement activities, and academic processes within the university.
3. The reinstatement of any staff members who have been wrongfully disciplined or punished.
4. The formal adoption and implementation of National Security intelligence reports that were compiled in 2024 and 2025.
5. Robust protection measures for all whistleblowers involved in bringing these issues to light.
6. An urgent and prioritized investigation into the series of reported student deaths.
Presidential Directive
In faithful execution of President Mahama’s explicit instructions, the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, has officially communicated in writing to the Ministry of Education, mandating a probing examination of the raised allegations along with the initiation of any necessary subsequent actions.
“The President has requested that the matter be thoroughly investigated and appropriate measures taken,” as clearly articulated in the letter bearing the signature of Callistus Mahama.
This official communication serves to reaffirm President Mahama’s unwavering commitment to upholding principles of transparency, accountability, and fairness across all sectors, while providing assurance to the entire university community that their voiced concerns will indeed be addressed in a comprehensive and resolute manner.
