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Pressure group at University of Ghana goes on demonstration

Fri, 8 Sep 2006 Source: GNA

Accra, Sept. 8, GNA - A group of students at the University of Ghana calling itself Mass Resistance Committee (MRC) on Friday went on demonstration against what it called negative developments at the University.

The group numbering about 100 presented a petition to Papa Owusu Ankomah, Minister of Education, Science and Sports at the Ministries. In a petition read by Mr Benjamin Brafuo Akyene, a student leader of Akuafo Hall, the group claimed there was harassment and intimidation of student leaders; unlawful removal of Junior Common Room (JCR) Presidents; plans for mass dismissals and institution of criminal charges against some former student leaders.

Mr Akyene said: "The removal of JCR Presidents of Akuafo and Volta Halls and the decision to throw them out of residence is not just an unnecessary provocation meant to test the resolve of the students but an agenda to rid students of any genuine representation or organisation to create conditions to place penalties and illegal charges on students." The MRC statement appealed to the Minister to ask the University authorities to issue a statement guaranteeing that no student would be dismissed from the University and that all criminal charges against students would be dropped.

It called for the unconditional re-instatement of the JCR Presidents of Akuafo and Volta Halls; the unconditional reversal of the decision to withdraw the JCR Presidents of Commonwealth, Akuafo and Volta Halls from residence and a public enquiry into the financial transactions of the University.

The group called for an end to the "commercialisation of residential facilities called dollar blocks and the reallocation of rooms in a fair and just manner=94.

The group called for an end to cost sharing and the dropping of all criminal charges against some students of Commonwealth Hall for allegedly selling beds and a guarantee that the University would not cause their dismissal.

"We wish to (state) that if by the close of work on Thursday, the 13th of September there is no indication of our demands being met ... we will have no option than to resort to more massive demonstrations, boycotts, picketing and strikes."

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Charles Tokor, Chief Superintendent of the Police said Mr Atik Tanko Ebrahim Mohamed, who presented the MRC letter to the Police was arrested.

"The name of the group looked like a terrorist group and no names were attached to the letter. Rather there was an e-mail address," he said.

Source: GNA