KNUST Imbroglio: KNUST TEWU declare 'indefinite strike' over government's new position

The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) says they have declared an indefinite strike action over government's position on reconstituting the governing council of the school.

According to them, government's position is deliberate and an attempt to replace the Vice Chancellor of the university.

Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, Chairman of KNUST TEWU, Mr. Charles Arthur explained there are rules governing every institution, and as an organization they will follow due process and will not kowtow to any political or government interference.

"As I am talking to you now we have decided to organize long meetings and until government makes his position right on the KNUST issue, we will continue to hold our long meetings with a strike of a sort," he said.

"Our long meetings just like what is done at every international conference can last for months so we clearly don't know when we will resume work, but if government decides to let the old council resume their duties, I can assure you that we will be back to work," he added.

Government insists that it does not want individuals who sat on the old governing council of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to be part of the new one to be constituted.

Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says members of the old council are party to the problems of the university and should not be judges in their own case.

“Government’s position on the membership of the new council is that individuals who sat on the old council ought not to be on the new council. The old council is a party to the impasse that took place on the KNUST campus.

“Just as the actions of students, student leaders, school management and the council will be subject to full investigations when the school is reopened, it is important to ensure that a council that is put in place has the freedom of hand to superintend that exercise."

The KNUST was closed indefinitely after students riots led to the destruction of properties which management of the university says amounts to about GH¢1.7 million.

The students were protesting what they claim to be the maltreatment meted out to them by campus security personnel and school authorities.

According to the students, the abuse had gone on for some time and school authorities have turned a blind eye.