Restrain from your unguarded comments – UTAG tells politicians

Amidst the ongoing crisis that has hit the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has warned political actors to restrain from making any unguarded comments and allow the authorities of the school to resolve the issue.

This is in reaction to comments posted on various social media platforms by some political giants in the country concerning the KNUST riot which has resulted in the indefinite shut down of the school.

On October 22, 2018, National Youth Organiser of the governing New Patriotic Party, Henry Nana Boakye, popularly referred to as Nana B commented on the KNUST issue on his Facebook wall stating the end of the School’s Vice Chancellor.

Nana B in relaying his displeasure at the situation posted, “I am very confident that Prof Obiri Danso will soon be history very very soon.”

Professor Azar also posted on Facebook saying, “The VC has not commented on the student who was maimed by his security forces and is currently battling for his life at the University hospital. He has not commented on the students who have been arrested for holding a vigil on the university campus. Adding that, this is not leadership!, I stand with the KNUST students in rejecting the reign of terror that is being unleashed on them”.

A statement signed by the National President of UTAG, Dr. Eric Opoku Mensah noted that "UTAG has also observed with concern unguarded comments from some political actors and wishes to caution such people to say away and allow the university and its structures to bring this matter to an amicable resolution"

UTAG further expressed its disappointment in the students for the acts of “vandalism, bodily injuries and destructions of properties on the campus” even though it acknowledged that the students had the right to lawfully demonstrate.

The association is calling on government to put measures in place to safeguard the lives of staff of the university as well as their properties.

Adding that, all factions should remain calm so that the saga would be resolved quickly to start academic work as soon as possible.