Influence of Vice Chancellors-Ghana (VCG) on the Operations of Public Universities

Abstract

The ascendancy of Vice Chancellors-Ghana on the operations of public universities has generated a lot of discourse amongst teaching and non-teaching staff in higher education. In order to explore and make empirical literature available on the subject, this study sought to examine the influence of Vice Chancellors-Ghana (VCG) on the operations of public universities. The study employed the concurrent triangulation mixed method design within the pragmatism research philosophy. Six (6) public universities in Ghana were involved in the study. Quantitatively, multi-stage (stratified and proportionate) technique wasused in the selection of 418 teaching and non-teaching staff. Qualitatively, the purposive sampling procedure was used in the selection of eight (8) Vice Chancellors-Ghana (both current and past) members and five (5) senior members in the study. The data were collected using questionnaires and interview guide and processed via SPSS (version 25). Thematic analysis was employed for qualitative data. It was discovered that VCG influences the operations of public universities in terms of standardization, accreditation process, financial management of the institutions, research and teaching, among others. Also, it was realized that, the teaching and non-teaching staff were aware of the existence of VCG but were unaware of the operational influence of VCG. Again, government manipulation and interference, lack of legal backing of VCG, among others were some of the challenges associated with the operations of VCG. The study recommended that, VCG should be registered for them to have a mouthpiece. Again, VCG should embark on awareness creation programmes and ensure that their welfare activities trickle down to both teaching and non-teaching staff.