KNUST: Halls conversion, Otumfuo has the final say - Management

The Management of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has taken notice of the concerns expressed by the Various Alumni groups of the University concerning the conversion of Unity (Continental), Africa and University (Katanga) Halls from single sex to mixed halls, and has asked the parties to remain calm as they await the Chancellor’s Otumfou Osei Tutu II pronouncement of the matter.

In a press release, the Management of the University expressed that, they remain sensitive to the concerns of the aggrieved parties and are committed to bringing a finality on the matter.

Portions of the statement reads, “It may be recalled that following the disturbances on the University campus last year which led to the brief closure of the University, the chancellor of the University, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, set up a committee to investigate the disturbances which among others were thought to have been precipitated by the aforementioned conversion of the halls.

The Committee’s report is currently being studied by the Chancellor and Management awaits same for due implementation of the recommendations thereof.”

They reiterated that they are willing and committed to implementing the recommendation of the Committee but urge all concern parties to exercise restraint to allow peace prevail particularly in the interest of academic work and activities of the University in general.

Meanwhile, the Global Alumni of the University Hall (Katanga) in a statement sighted by Mypurefmonline.com signed by the President, Mr. Charles Dontoh has taken strong exception to the seeming linking of the University Hall and its alumni to perceived disturbances on KNUST campus and has described the perception as a figment of their accusers own imagination.

They fingered the KNUST Management saying, “unfortunately, these baseless accusations follow the same narrative that KNUST Management have sought to create in the minds of well-meaning members of the public with the sole purpose of tarnishing the image of KATANGA. We urge KNUST Management to propose practical and pragmatic solutions to the overwhelming accommodation crunch for students on campus, like the KATANGA Alumni is doing.”

They, however, cautioned the hall’s affiliates and alumni to desist from any acts of disturbance as it will only lead to the reversal of the huge gains they have made with his Royal Majesty and Chancellor, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

“KATANGA Alumni will NOT sanction, organize, orchestrate or partake in any such disturbance of the peace and academic work on campus, especially at this crucial time when we have made so much progress towards the resolution of the current state of our dear Hall.”