Published by Inusah Dondaliya
12th April 2026
The Youth Chiefs of Dagbon have raised serious concerns over selection of a Vice Chancellor to the University of Development Studies, claiming there are clandestine machinations to deny the people of the Northern Region a true person to lead the university.
The Dagbon Youth Chiefs have noted with anxiety that some potential candidates are playing ethnic cards with an excuse that since the establishment of the university their tribe person has never ascended to the high office of the school, describing it as not only hypocritical but dangerous.
In a press release dated today, Sunday 12th April 2026, signed by Secretary to the Youth Chiefs of Dagbon, Andani Yakubu, noted that the appointment of the Vice Chancellor for the University for Development Studies (UDS) presents a defining opportunity to reaffirm the principles of equity, inclusiveness, and context-sensitive leadership within Ghana’s higher education system especially in the Northern sector, overriding political or ethnic considerations.
The group further argues that UDS was uniquely established to advance the development of Northern Ghana through community-based research, practical engagement, and regionally relevant scholarship, stressing that its mandate is inseparable from the socio-cultural and economic realities of the northern regions, emphasizing that Leadership that understands this context is not optional, but fundamental.
The Youth Chiefs also anticipate that UDS will get a leader with strong ties; academic, professional, traditional, or cultural to the region it operates so as to engender peaceful coexistence between these bodies and the academic community in line with the pattern across Ghana’s public universities.
Meanwhile, they further hold the view that appointing a qualified Northern candidate as Vice Chancellor would not only uphold this established institutional logic but also reinforce the founding vision of UDS, explaining that a Northern scholar brings both academic excellence and lived experience, and invaluable combination for navigating the unique development challenges of the region, noting also that such a decision would also send a strong national message that fairness in leadership is not merely symbolic but operational.
Among 10 candidates vying for the Vice Chancellor Position of UDS, 3 candidates have been shortlisted. They include Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu, Prof. Elliot Haruna Alhassan, Prof. Felix Kofi Abagali.
Information gathered by Ghananewsnet.com shows that Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu, has the competence, capability and vast experience to occupy the office.
below is the full press release by the Dagbon Youth Chiefs
We, the Youth Chiefs of Dagbon and the Northern Region in general wish to express our support and commendations for the processes leading to the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor for the University
for Development Studies (UDS).
While commending the processes so far, we are equally aware of the clandestine machinations to deny the people of the Northern Region an opportunity to serve its people as the case is in other sister
universities in northern Ghana and the country as a whole.
We are even more worried as it is widely rumoured that some potential candidates are making a case that since the inception of the university his or their ethnic group has never ascended to the high office of a
vice chancellor. This mindset is not only hypocritical but dangerous. The question we want to ask is: how many ethnic groups do we have in the university? and if the university is going to be subjected to such
baseless ethnic mindset can we ever make a progress?
The appointment of the Vice Chancellor for the University for Development Studies (UDS) presents a defining opportunity to reaffirm the principles of equity, inclusiveness, and context-sensitive leadership within Ghana’s higher education system especially in the Northern sector.
UDS was uniquely established to advance the development of Northern Ghana through community-based research, practical engagement, and regionally relevant scholarship. Its mandate is inseparable from the socio-cultural and economic realities of the northern regions. Leadership that understands this context is therefore not optional, it is fundamental.
Across Ghana’s public university system, there is a noticeable and consistent pattern: institutions often appoint leaders with strong ties; academic, professional, traditional, or cultural to the regions in which they operate so as to engender peaceful coexistence between these bodies and the academic community.
This has been evident in many universities across the country such as the University of Cape Coast, the University of Education, Winneba, and the University of Mines and Technology, where leadership has historically reflected deep familiarity with their institutional and regional
environments. UDS should not departed from this practice since there is evidence to show that it helps to drive development of the university.
Evidence from the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) all
created out of UDS shows that this practice is entrenched
This practice is grounded in pragmatism, not preference. Leaders who are closely connected to their regions are better positioned to engage local communities, align institutional priorities with regional
development needs, and build trust among the people and all stakeholders.UDS must not be an exception.
Appointing a qualified Northern candidate as Vice Chancellor would not only uphold this established institutional logic but also reinforce the founding vision of UDS. A Northern scholar brings both academic
excellence and lived experience, an invaluable combination for navigating the unique development challenges of the region.Such a decision would also send a strong national message: that fairness in leadership is not merely
symbolic but operational.
It affirms that every region has the capacity and the right to contribute meaningfully to the leadership of institutions designed to serve them.This is not a call for exclusion, but for balance, relevance, and continuity. The future of UDS depends on leadership that is both competent and deeply connected to its mission and region.
At this critical moment, stakeholders are urged to support a decision that reflects equity, strengthens institutional identity, and advances the developmental mandate of the University for Development
Studies.
The Zaachi Youth Association have maintained a very cordial and a positive relationship with the University management over the years and we do not wish this relationship to turn sour.
However, youth groups across the region are already in high alert to resist any attempt by any individual, group, or institution that seeks to deny the people of the Northern Region this
opportunity to serve its people.
LONG LIVE UDS, LONG LIVE THE PEOPLE OF THE NORTH
