Pro-VC of STU Sued for alleged ‘fake’ PhD
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Sunyani Technical University (STU), Justice Solomon Korantwi-Barimah, is facing legal proceedings for alleged academic dishonesty. Charles Addo Odokyi, a former student of STU, has instituted a lawsuit against Korantwi-Barimah at the Commercial Court of the Sunyani High Court. The lawsuit challenges the legitimacy of Korantwi-Barimah’s PhD and his tenure as Pro-VC.
Odokyi is seeking an injunction to prevent Korantwi-Barimah from representing himself as a PhD holder or Pro-VC. Additionally, Odokyi demands a declaration that Korantwi-Barimah’s promotion to associate professor in 2020 was invalid. The lawsuit, which was initiated on August 29, 2024, alleges that Korantwi-Barimah presented a degree from Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa. Although the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) evaluated this degree as equivalent to a doctoral degree in Ghana, Odokyi argues that it does not meet GTEC’s requirements for a PhD. This qualification is essential for serving as a Pro-VC or Vice-Chancellor in Ghana.
The court, presided over by Justice Joyce Boahen, has adjourned the case to October 26, 2024. Furthermore, Odokyi is demanding that Korantwi-Barimah be ordered to refund all salaries and emoluments received from September 2016 to date. This is due to his alleged academic misrepresentation. The plaintiff is challenging the legitimacy of Korantwi-Barimah’s appointment and is calling for a review of the STU appointing board’s adherence to GTEC’s harmonized statutes.
