The Directorate of Student Affairs of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has held an online budgeting and financial management refresher session for student leaders, as part of efforts to promote accountability and responsible use of student funds ahead of the new academic year.
The meeting brought together student leaders, hall executives and senior university officials.
Mrs. Theodora Oduro, Senior Assistant Registrar in charge of Student Support and Financial Aid, said the engagement was necessary as the initial excitement surrounding student elections had settled and practical leadership responsibilities were set to begin.
She said the session was intended to refresh student leaders on approved spending procedures and financial discipline.
A presentation on budgeting was delivered by Mr. Emmanuel Andoh, Immediate Past Accountant of DoSA, who walked participants through a sample student activity budget, including approved tax components for goods and services.
He stressed the need for student leaders to patronise vendors whose documentation had been approved by the University’s Procurement Office, noting that compliance protects both student leaders and the institution.
During the question-and-answer session, the Deputy Director in charge of Conduct and Discipline, Professor Akwasi Acheampong Aning, provided guidance on expenditure related to student field trips and outlined disciplinary consequences associated with financial misappropriation and misconduct.
Professor James Osei Mensah, Hall Master of KNUST-owned hostels, also briefed participants on hostel occupancy arrangements at the SRC Hostel and clarified approval levels required for appointees using the facility.
The Director of Student Affairs, Professor Marian Asantewah Nkansah, thanked student leaders for participating and reminded them that all funds paid into University accounts are public funds and must be treated as such.
She urged students to comply strictly with University guidelines when organising activities, whether funded through student dues or private sources, and to seek approval from patrons, heads of department, deans or provosts, as required.
Professor Nkansah encouraged student leaders to prioritise the impact and legacy of their tenure rather than personal gain and reiterated that all off-campus trips must have an accompanying patron, a signed participant list and formal approval from DoSA.
She also extended Christmas greetings to participants and wished them a productive 2026.
The Deputy Registrar, Mrs. Victoria De-Graft Adjei, thanked contributors for their insights and encouraged student leaders to adhere to established rules of engagement in the discharge of their duties.
