KNUST corrects admission error for visually impaired PhD applicant after legal threats

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has corrected an error that initially denied Isaac Anin Baah, a visually impaired applicant, admission into its PhD programme in Public Health.

Mr Baah, 34, who previously completed a Master’s degree at KNUST, expressed disappointment with the situation and has filed a lawsuit against the university, seeking GHC1 million in damages for the stress, lost scholarship opportunities, and lack of communication during the admission process.

Baah’s lawsuit comes after KNUST’s failure to initially offer him admission, despite receiving an offer that was later revoked without explanation. The applicant, who was seeking to pursue a PhD in Public Health, said that after his admission was revoked, his efforts to seek clarification from the university were ignored.

“I applied to KNUST to pursue a PhD in Public Health. I was given admission, but they revoked it with no explanation. When I tried to get clarification from the School of Public Health, they couldn’t provide any reasons. I involved my lawyer, and after several letters to the university were unanswered, I had no option but to seek legal redress,” Baah was quoted by the Daily Graphic as saying.

He further emphasised that he did not want to believe the revocation was due to his visual impairment, citing that he had completed his master’s degree at KNUST without facing such issues.

Seeking Legal Redress

Frustrated by the university’s lack of response, Baah sought legal action. His lawsuit includes claims of GHC1 million in damages, aimed at compensating for the emotional stress and loss of scholarship opportunities tied to the delayed admission.

“I don’t believe it’s discrimination based on my impairment because I had studied at KNUST before for my master’s. However, perhaps the court will compel the university to provide the reasons behind the withdrawal of my admission,” Baah added.

KNUST’s Response

In response to the lawsuit, Norris Bekoe, KNUST’s University Relations Officer, explained that the admission revocation was due to an administrative mix-up. He confirmed that the university quickly rectified the issue and had already extended a new admission offer to Baah.

“During the admission process, there was a mix-up, but as soon as it was detected, we rectified it. He has been offered admission and is supposed to come and pay his fees to commence his course. That is why his decision to seek redress in court comes as a surprise,” Bekoe told the Daily Graphic.

“I don’t think it’s a case of discrimination because he was here for his master’s programme, and we’ve had several students with disabilities enrolled in different academic programmes. This was merely a mix-up, and we’ve resolved it. We look forward to him completing the process to begin his studies,” he said.

Reporting By Jonathan Ofori, Asaase Newsroom, Kumasi

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