Our president wasn’t contacted during and after investigations ordered by Mastercard Foundation – African Development University
The African Development University (ADU), the Niamey-based non-profit university says its president Kader Kaneye was never contacted during the investigations that was ordered by its main partner and funder, the Mastercard Foundation, and neither has the final report been copied to it.
The university further says the investigation was done unilaterally and it is requesting a counter-audit of the matter.
In a statement March 18, 2023, Mastercard Foundation indicated it was aware of serious allegations related to leadership practices at the ADU, but didn’t elaborate.
“The Foundation’s priority is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Mastercard Foundation Scholars and the student body. The Foundation has asked that the African Development University pause the recruitment of a new cohort of Mastercard Foundation Scholars until our investigation is complete and the well-being of the student body is assured,” it said in the statement.
The Foundation expressed deep concern about the issues raised and commissioned an independent investigation to establish the facts and inform its next steps.
However, Ghana Business News found that the allegations bother on sexual harassment and financial mismanagement made against the founder of the university, 39-year-old Kader Kaneye.
Some of the allegations have been made on social media by a former employee, Amadou Cissoko, who fearing for his life after making public some of the allegations, resigned his job and fled Niger for his own safety.
Then on August 31, the Mastercard Foundation issued another statement saying the investigation had substantiated the allegations of misconduct and misappropriation of funds made against a senior member of the leadership of the university, without any specifics.
However, in an email response today September 5, 2023 to Ghana Business News requests seeking the University’s reactions to the August 31 Mastercard Foundation press statement announcing the results of the investigation, the university says its president was never contacted and the decision by Mastercard Foundation was taken unilaterally.
The email from the university said among other things:
“The president has not been involved in the audit process up to this point.
As of today, we have not received any audit report.
We have requested a counter-audit, which we are still awaiting. The decision was made unilaterally.”
The Mastercard Foundation’s funding forms the bulk of financial support for the not-for-profit institution founded in 2017.
Announcing the termination of the Mastercard Scholars Programme at the ADU which it funds, the Foundation said it is transferring all the students to the Ashesi University in Ghana to continue with their studies.
Ashesi University has agreed to accept the students.
“The Scholars will be afforded the same resources that came with their Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme scholarship at ADU., and Ashesi will provide additional support to help the Scholars adjust to a new learning and cultural environment,” Ashesi University said in a statement.
By Emmanuel K Dogbevi
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