The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has said it has offered admission to a visually impaired student who has applied for a PhD programme at the university.
This follows the correction of an error during the admission process which inadvertently denied the applicant, Isaac Anin Baah, admission. Disappointed by the situation, Mr Anin Baah, 34, has filed a lawsuit against KNUST, seeking relief, including GH¢1 million in damages, for the stress and lost scholarship opportunities.
Redress
Mr Anin Baah said he decided to seek legal redress after efforts to get the KNUST to explain the reason for not offering him admission were ignored.
He had previously completed a Master’s degree at KNUST.
“I did apply at Tech (KNUST) to pursue PhD in Public Health, but what happened was that after my application, it’s like they gave me admission alright, but they revoked the admission with no reason.
“I tried to seek clarification from the dean at the School of Public Health, but he couldn’t give me any reason. I told my lawyer, my lawyer wrote several letters seeking clarification but I did not get any feedback, leaving me with no option but to seek legal redress.
“I don’t want to believe it is discrimination against me because of my impairment as I had attended the same university for my Masters programme. Maybe the court will get them to give reasons for withdrawing the admission, “ Mr Baah stated.
Anomaly corrected
However, the University Relations Officer, Dr Norris Bekoe, said the university rectified the situation as soon as the anomaly was detected and Mr Baah had been offered admission.
The university was, therefore, surprised when it received the writ.
“During the admission process, there was a mix-up, but that was corrected almost immediately and the applicant has been offered admission.
“He is supposed to come and pay his fees and commence his course, thus his decision to seek redress in court has come as a surprise,” Dr Bekoe said, confirming that KNUST had been served with the writ.
He denied that the applicant had been discriminated against due to his impairment, emphasising that the university was accommodating of all students who qualify to pursue their academic interests.
“I don’t think it is a case of discrimination because he was here to pursue his Master’s programme and other persons with disability have also taken up other academic programmes at KNUST.
“Like I have stated, his was a mix-up. That has been rectified and admission offered. We look forward to him completing the process to begin his programme,” Dr Bekoe stressed.
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