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The Clement Kubindiwo Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences at Navrongo in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region has put in measures to curb any possible spread of COVID-19 among students and residents of Navrongo.

Professor Albert Luguterah, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University disclosed that management was in collaboration with the COVID-19 Rapid Response Team in the Municipality to minimise the transmission of the virus.

“We circulated information to the students, so before they come, they will give us prior information, and we will pick them to the campus. We are mindful of our safety as staff and students in the University community, and we are also interested in the safety of the Navrongo Township.”

The Professor in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the University campus, explained that management adopted the initiative to immediately transport students, especially those from other regions with high COVID-19 cases to the campus on arrival in the town.

“If some of the students are asymptomatic and they go to town, they can start the community transmission, which we want to minimise. So we are working with the COVID-19 Rapid Response Team and the District Health Directorate to minimise any transmission.”

Professor Luguterah noted that there were protocols at various hotels to check any possible spread of the virus, adding that, “We have created an online application for the students so that we can be able to monitor and interact with them with minimum contact.”

He said the University had an isolation centre for suspected cases of COVID-19 adding that the District Health Directorate would help them manage any confirmed case of the virus.

The Vice-Chancellor said the University was yet to receive Personal Protective Equipment from government, “For now, we are ready for the students, some of them have already started arriving,” he added.

Professor Luguterah noted that the University would be holding online learning for students who would not be able to report to the school.

Mr Raymond Otivi, President of the Students Representative Council (SRC) of the University told the GNA that “We as leaders of the SRC, we want a safe and conducive environment for students.”

He said many of the students were from regions regarded as “hot spots” for the COVID-19 virus and called for proper screening of such students before they were allowed on campus.

Mr Otivi said some students had started reporting to school and confirmed that management of the University had put in measures to prevent physical contact with students, “They agreed that even if we report, there should be online examination, we will not have a face to face contact with any lecturer.”

A Mathematics student, Mr Kalusha Yobart said on arrival, management insisted on strict adherence to the Ghana Health Service protocols to prevent the spread of the virus, “We as students should be vigilant and protect ourselves per the directives issued by President Akufo-Addo in his latest address.”

The University until recently was a branch of the University of Development Studies (UDS).