The Office of Grants and Research (OGR) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has engaged representatives of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ottawa, Canada, as part of an institutional review of the university’s internal financial controls, travel protocols, and resource mobilisation strategies.
The engagement, which followed earlier high-level discussions with University Management, offered the IDRC delegation an opportunity to examine the operational systems that support grant administration at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.
Central to the discussions was the university’s framework for managing grant funds, particularly the allocation of indirect costs, commonly referred to as overheads.
The engagement reviewed the existing model, which channels a percentage of grant earnings to the College level to strengthen infrastructure and administrative support, while ensuring that Principal Investigators (PIs) and their research teams retain sufficient resources for direct project implementation.
Director of the Office of Grants and Research, Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, noted that the university continues to refine its policies to align with global best practices in research management and intensification.
He explained that the visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate not only the university’s documented policies but also the practical systems that safeguard grant funds and support researchers.
During the session, Mr. Ato Eghan, Accountant at the Office of Grants and Research, guided the IDRC representative through the university’s internal processes for grant-funded travel.
He explained that all international travel by Principal Investigators requires clearance from the University Travel Desk and the Office of the Vice-Chancellor before any bookings are made. To ensure compliance and audit readiness, all related documents are reviewed through the university’s travel office.
In response to IDRC’s inquiries on resource mobilisation, he confirmed that its efforts are guided by a formal institutional strategy.
Mr. Eghan also demonstrated key features of the university’s accounts management system, PANACIA, highlighting the strict access controls that limit Principal Investigators, grant managers, and project teams to their designated accounts only.
While describing the system as robust for financial reporting and internal controls, he noted that the university is still progressing toward a fully electronic signature and approval workflow for all grant-related actions.
Mr. Hussein El Hajj, Manager of Grant Administration at IDRC, commended the Office of Grants and Research for the transparency and structure of its financial management framework.
He noted that the ability to access financial records promptly, coupled with the clarity of internal processes, reinforces confidence in KNUST’s capacity to steward grant funds effectively.
He added that the internal controls observed during the session align strongly with the Centre’s expectations for institutional partnerships.
The visit underscores the deepening relationship between IDRC and KNUST, paving the way for more streamlined grant agreements and expanded collaborative research opportunities.