University hall, Katanga and Unity Hall,Conti of KNUST have settled to embark on a massive demonstration to wage war against the decision of the university authorities to covert the two male halls into mixed sex halls
The demonstration which will take place tomorrow the 10th of August, 2018 in Accra is to express their grievances and to solicit for the support of government in a written petition
The demonstration is said to commerce from Kwame Nkrumah interchange to the State House at exactly 8:30 am. The demonstration is being organized by concerned students who are being led by the ALUMNI body.
The chief of staff and acting president of the University Hall Alumni, Mr. Kwaku Sarpong told hypercitigh.com that several efforts to get authorities to rescind their controversial decision had proved futile
“We have written letters, engaged the media, granted interviews but no other reason than the decision to increase intake of females and to boost their security”
Mr. Sarpong reiterated that they are pursing the matter in court and are hoping to place an injunction on the entire admission process so it can be sanitized
He also mentioned that, the school has responded to the court summons but seems relentless in its course of action as evidenced by the fact that it has begun blocking emergency exits, retraining security and improving their equipment and even renovating washrooms
Mr Sarpong was quick to add that the Kumasi side of the demonstration has been postponed to the 24th of August on the advice of the police.
Among cohorts to speak on the issue, Greater Accra Press secretary of the University Hall alumni, Raymond Laud, has called on the Chancellor of the University, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to intervene to prevent what they describe as a misplaced priority by the management of the University. “We think that the reasons they are giving are not tenable. We know that they just want to promote a culture of silence on campus. The University Authority wants to have their way in everything they do.
“We are appealing to parents not to send their female wards to Katanga. We are appealing to the powers that be, President Akufo-Addo and the Chancellor, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to step in and call the Vice Chancellor to order.”
Background
The twist and turn about the conversion of the two great halls Unity Hall and Katanga into mixed sex halls heightened as the Dean of Students, Prof. William A. Gariba reiterated such intention bluntly on Sunday 28th of January, 2018 at the Student Chaplaincy Council service. This came as a shock as Continentals and Katangees alike were amused and disdained as they looked on that faithful day.
This statement affirmed the rumour which was wrangled amongst students since 2013 when the University council chaired by the late Paul Victor Obeng sat to decide on converting the two halls into mixed sex halls.
Dr Opoku Prempeh in latest twist, speaking at the 52nd Congregation Ceremony of the University says he fully supports the decision.
“Recently in Unity Hall, there was a demonstration because the University had attempted to make it a mixed hall. I received the protest notes but my conscience told me if there is any hall that can be made a mixed hall it is of course of Unity Hall… If we want to create an equal, level playing field we cannot insist that Katanga or Unity or any hall should be reserved for a particular group. So Katanga, take the women, be bold.”
Submitted
