On a cheerful afternoon at the Paa Joe Stadium during the 2026 Convocation Games, spectators cheered as staff members lined up for the women's 50-metre lime-and-spoon race. Among the competitors was Ms. Vida Osei Mensah, a familiar face in the administrative corridors of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST).

At 55, she was competing alongside much younger colleagues. Yet, when the whistle sounded, she stepped forward with the confidence of someone who had spent nearly three decades serving the University.

As the race unfolded, determination outweighed age. The spoon, the ball and her steady stride seemed to move in perfect harmony. By the finish line, she had once again demonstrated the resilience and commitment that have defined her career at KNUST.

For many who know her, the moment reflected more than sporting prowess. It symbolised a remarkable journey of service, growth and dedication spanning 30 years.

Born in Kumasi on November 20, 1970, Ms. Vida Boateng, née Osei Mensah, began her professional journey long before joining KNUST. Her first role was as a secretary with the Youth on AIDS Project, a non-governmental organisation based in Adum, Kumasi, between 1991 and 1992.

In 1996, she joined KNUST as a Clerk Grade I in the then Department of Crop Science. It was the beginning of a career that would see her rise steadily through the University's administrative ranks.

From Clerk Grade I, she progressed to Senior Clerk, Administrative Assistant, Senior Administrative Assistant and eventually Principal Administrative Assistant. Her dedication, institutional knowledge and administrative competence earned her successive promotions over the years, culminating in her current position as a Junior Assistant Registrar at the University Relations Office (URO), where she oversees Events and Protocol.

The appointment marks another significant chapter in a career that has traversed several units of the University. Throughout her service, she has worked in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, the Department of Horticulture, the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and the Provost Office of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), where she served as Principal Administrative Assistant from 2018.

Her professional advancement mirrored her academic pursuits. After obtaining a Diploma in Business Studies (Secretarial Option) from Kumasi Polytechnic in 1995, she returned to the classroom while working full-time. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Publishing Studies from KNUST in 2009 and later completed a Commonwealth Executive Master's in Public Administration (CEMPA) at the University in 2015.

Colleagues describe her as dependable, meticulous and committed to excellence. Over the years, she has served as secretary to numerous committees, contributing to academic programme reviews, departmental development initiatives, alumni engagement activities and policy deliberations within the University.

Her commitment to professional development is equally evident. She has participated in several KNUST Summer Schools and capacity-building programmes covering quality assurance, higher education management, customer service, technology and institutional development.

Today, in her role at the University Relations Office, she helps coordinate some of the University's most important ceremonial events and official engagements, ensuring that protocol standards are maintained and institutional functions are executed seamlessly. The position draws heavily on the organisational skills, attention to detail and interpersonal qualities she has cultivated over three decades of service.

Beyond her official duties, Vida is known for her strong interpersonal skills, reliability and willingness to support colleagues and students alike. Those who have worked with her often speak of her calm disposition, punctuality and readiness to learn new skills.

Her milestone was also celebrated by colleagues at the University Relations Office, who honoured her for three decades of dedicated service to KNUST. Led by Deputy Registrar Dr. Norris Berkoe, staff commended her professionalism, commitment and contributions to the University's events and protocol functions.

For Ms. Vida Osei

Ms. Osei Mensah, thirty years at KNUST is a legacy of service built one step at a time, a legacy that continues today from the heart of the University's Events and Protocol operations.