Ankomah condemns violence on campus

Accra, July 26, GNA - Papa Owusu Ankomah, Minister of Education, Science and Sports, on Wednesday condemned the spate of attacks, harassment and sometimes killing on the campuses of some universities in the country.

The universities are Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Cape Coast (UCC). Papa Owusu Ankomah, who was answering questions in Parliament, said various measures had been taken by the affected universities to stamp out such criminal activities.

He said for instance the KNUST with the help of the Police and residents had formed community watchdog committees to beef up security. The Minister said there were joint Military/Police and University Security patrols on the campus between 2200 hours 0500 hours. "All gates to the University with the exception of the main gate close from 2200 hours to 0600 hours daily and all vehicles entering and leaving the Campus between these hours use the main gate for security reasons."

Papa Owusu Ankomah said general lighting on campuses, especially halls of residence and teaching areas; were being improved to enhance visibility at night as students had been advised not to walk alone at night and to avoid dark areas.

He said in the case of the UCC a permanent Police Post had been established on campus to assist the University Security. "Education of students on the need to observe basic personal safety precautions has been intensified. Officers of the Police Public Affairs Directorate play a major role in the education process." The Minister said the authorities of the UCC had decided to wall off sections of the University that interface with the communities with designated entry points.

He said the Ministry was monitoring the situation and would offer appropriate assistance to the Universities to strengthen security on the campuses.