The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has warned politicians to desist from interfering with the issues relating to the demonstration which followed alleged brutalities meted out to students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Over the weekend, some students of the university were allegedly brutalized by some internal security personnel at KNUST.
This situation led to one student severely injured, and subsequently admitted at a hospital.
Following the incident, students of the university through the leadership of the SRC President declared a boycott of lectures and marched on Monday, October 22 to register their displeasure.
The march did not go as peaceful as planned and this resulted in students destroying property including private and official vehicles parked at the administration block of the university.
A joint security force of police and military personnel had to intervene to prevent the students from causing further destruction, and some 20 students were arrested in the process, though later granted bail.
The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) in consultation with management of the university subsequently announced a closedown of the university indefinitely.
When news of the incident broke, social media and the main media platforms were filled with comments of ordinary Ghanaians and some political figures, expressing varying opinions on the issue with many condemning the brutalities.
Some of these politicians, however, sought to play the blame game by alleging that some political figures had masterminded the violence.
It is on the back of this that UTAG, in a statement signed by its National President, Dr. Eric Opoku Mensah, on Tuesday noted that these political actors should not interfere with happenings at KNUST.
“UTAG has also observed with concern unguarded comments from some political actors and wishes to caution such people to stay away and allow the university and its structures to bring this matter to an amicable resolution.”
The Association condemned the acts of vandalism exhibited by the students during Monday’s demonstration.
“While UTAG believes in the rights of students to go on lawful demonstrations, it is however appalled by the acts of vandalism, bodily injuries and destruction of properties on the campus.”
UTAG charged government to put measures in place to safeguard the lives of staff at the university.
The Association also noted that they are monitoring the situation, and would cooperate with relevant stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the issues at hand.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
I am afraid Ghana has no future if this is how our future leaders are going to behave. what surprises me most is the so called social commentators. the hypocrisy, what is the difference between what happened at KNUST and the vigilantes who harassed the Kumasi MP? The people who called for the heads of the vigilantes are the same people backing the barbaric actions of students. It is unfortunate we live in a country where newsreaders are turned judges. Please parents and opinion leaders let educationists handle your wards and stop unnecessary interference. Education is not literacy, an educated person is the one who is able to live with others no matter provocation. Or the society wants the youth to acquire literacy and numeracy without education. If we are condemning disturbances of vigilantes then we must condemn this act of our students without conditions
I am very disappointed with this statement from UTAG. Always thinking about their interest only. you are asking government to put measures in place to safeguard the lives of staff at the Universities. How about the students? would there be a university for you to go and teach without students. this is selfish. I expect UTAG to do better on this issue rather than coming out with this unimpressed statement.
Se this group. When your book allowance is not paid you expect politicians to intervene but not when your security guards (on the orders of a VC who is your member) are beating students on campus. You think the university is a private one, right? Politicians are also Ghanaians. Infact everybody is a stakeholder. UTAG, you have failed. No leadership! I thought we always had Senior Common Room (SCR) made up of lecturers and Junior Common Room (JCR) made up of students? What happened to that? Now UTAG thinks they are the only people making up the university. What is a university without students?
Please, UTAG, do you have the mandate to intervene in the affairs of the university if you hear or see things going wrong somewhere? I am asking this question because, those of us outside the university campus heard so many things happening in KNUST. We did not hear the input of UTAG to help resolve some of these issues. I suggest, you expand your mandate to include facilitating peace in the university anytime things start to deteriorate before it gets out of hand. You agree with me that when such things happen, everybody in the school is affected. Thank You.