Mastercard Foundation cuts funding for African Development University after proving allegations of sexual harassment and misappropriation of funds
The Mastercard Foundation is terminating the Scholars Programme it is funding at the African Development University (ADU) in Niamey, Niger, after substantiating serious allegations of sexual harassment and misappropriation of funds against a senior member of the leadership of the non-profit university.
This senior member of the leadership of the university however, Ghana Business News has established is the founder of the university, 39-year-old Kader Kaneye.
According to a statement from the Foundation issued August 31, 2023, and obtained by Ghana Business News, it said following the serious allegations of misconduct and misappropriation of funds levelled against a senior member of the leadership of ADU, an audit was commissioned by the Foundation.
“The audit has substantiated the allegations. Considering the seriousness of the audit findings, the Mastercard Foundation will be terminating the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at ADU,” the statement added.
The Foundation indicates in the statement that it will work with Ashesi University in Ghana, another Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme Partner, to enable the Mastercard Foundation Scholars at ADU to continue their education in Ghana.
In another statement issued by Ashesi University, the institution says it has agreed to accept the students from ADU.
“Ashesi University has agreed to accept the Mastercard Foundation Scholars from ADU. 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. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars will receive additional information from Ashesi about the next steps,” the University said in the statement.
It further indicated that the Foundation has convened meetings with the Chancellor of ADU and other members of the University’s leadership team to discuss the audit report and next steps.
It will be recalled that in April 2023, Ghana Business News published a story stating that the allegations bother on sexual harassment and financial mismanagement made against the founder – Kaneye.
However, in a response to Ghana Business News enquiries on the Mastercard Foundation statement which says it has substantiated the allegations made against the senior member of the leadership of the university – referencing the August 31, 2023 statement from the Mastercard Foundation, ADU only made mention of audit of scandals at the university without addressing the fact that Mastercard Foundation said it had substantiated the allegations and therefore was terminating the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme which contributes substantial funding to the ADU.
The university’s response adds that it is determined to thoroughly investigate allegations related to transparency in the Mastercard Scholars Selection process, and did not address any of the allegations substantiated by the audit ordered by the Mastercard Foundation – allegations of misconduct, which Ghana Business News has indicated were of sexual harassment and misappropriation of funds made against Kaneye.
It added that the results of its investigations will be transparently communicated to the Mastercard Foundation and the public.
Some of the allegations have been made on social media by a former employee of the university, Amadou Cissoko, who fearing for his life after making public some of the allegations, resigned from his job and fled Niger for his own safety.
By Emmanuel K Dogbevi
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