Students of the KNUST have reacted to the sanctions
imposed by the University authorities.
They are especially not happy with the abolishment of
the Junior Common Room system.
Earlier, the University’s Council announced various
sanctions to avert the recurrence of the clash between students resident in the
University and Continental halls.
The riot, which was said to have resulted from
attempts by students of Unity Hall to restrain colleagues from University Hall
from using their frontage in a procession, took place on August 18, 2022.
A number of cars parked in front of Conti were damaged
by the feuding students. The clash left three vehicles damaged.
Three persons are currently in police custody, while
61 others are being sought after.
A statement dated August 26, signed by the
Registrar/Secretary to Council of KNUST, Mr. A.K. Boateng said, the sanctions
were the outcome of an emergency meeting of the Council held on Friday, 26th
August, 2022.
But JoyNews’ Erastus Asare Donkor reports that the
students disagree with the authorities.
JoyNews/AdomNews · KNUST students react to sanctions
imposed by Management
In an interview, the students said the sanction from
Management is harsh, adding that it s not the solution to the problem.
“They are rather taking advantage of this issue to
finally remove students from the negotiation table so, in the long run, it will
be like an autocratic system. They will just come out with their decisions and
impose on the students and I don’t think it is the fault of the JCR bodies so
why are they removing them,” a student said.
Another student also noted that the banning of
students from participating in the organisation of what is termed as ‘morale’
and/or ‘procession’ was in place. He, however, does not agree with the
abolishment of the Junior Common Room system.
“It is going to help calm the students because
recently what we have been experiencing is so bad. Some of them throwing stones
against each other, causing injury is too much. It is going to help calm this
intense.
A student also said, “it is really fair because the
other halls don’t do morale and those processions so banning hall activities
won’t be fair .. we need the programmes to release stress.”
“The JCR system can’t control the student like when it
comes to morales and the others,” he said.