The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has officially inaugurated its Gender Inclusion and Vulnerability (GIV) Office, marking a significant milestone in the University’s commitment to equity, safety, inclusion and the protection of vulnerable persons within its community
The inauguration, held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, also featured the commissioning and swearing-in of 37 individuals as College Focal Persons to support the implementation of gender inclusion and vulnerability response mechanisms across the University.
The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson emphasised the importance of translating institutional policies into meaningful action that impacts lives.
“Policies are not policies when they remain on paper, they must affect the lives of people. KNUST’s guiding principle remains, leaving no one behind,” she stated.
She stressed that the University will continue to serve as the voice of the voiceless and a source of empowerment for the powerless, noting that every individual matters and has something valuable to contribute. The Vice-Chancellor also expressed deep appreciation to the Mastercard Foundation and other supporting partners for their immense contribution to advancing KNUST’s inclusion agenda.
The Head of the Gender Inclusion and Vulnerability Office, Professor Mrs Mercy Badu described the inauguration as more than the opening of an office.
“This inauguration is a clear institutional statement of KNUST’s commitment to protection, dignity and inclusion. The Office’s mandate aligns with KNUST’s anti-sexual harassment policy, equality and diversity policy, disability policy and relevant national gender policy frameworks, she said.”
She explained that the GIV Office is firmly grounded in the University’s gender policy which promotes zero tolerance for gender-based violence, discrimination, and harassment.
Professor Badu outlined key implementation commitments of the Office, including the establishment of a network of Gender Inclusion and Vulnerability Focal Persons across the University’s colleges and campuses. She revealed that the focal persons will serve as first points of contact for awareness creation, early identification of concerns, and referral, ensuring that support is accessible, decentralized and survivor-centered.
She further disclosed that the Office is developing an AI-enabled confidential reporting platform designed to protect identities, ensure confidentiality and strengthen due process.
The GIV Office will also work closely with existing University structures such as Student Affairs, Counselling Services, Security Services, University Health Services, disciplinary bodies and partner programmes to enhance institutional response systems.
According to her, the Office will prioritize advocacy, capacity building, prevention and policy implementation through regular sensitization programmes, targeted training, institutional audits, monitoring and accountability measures. Strategic partnerships, both locally and internationally, will also be pursued to support research, programming and resource mobilization.
“These commitments are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 on gender equality, Goal 10 on reduced inequalities, Goal 4 on quality education, and Goal 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions,” she noted.
Professor Badu assured students that the GIV Office exists to safeguard their safety, dignity, and wellbeing, while encouraging staff and faculty to collaboratively embed gender inclusion and vulnerability responsiveness