Sack ‘autocratic’ KNUST Vice Chancellor immediately – Education Minister told

A group calling itself ‘Campus Forum for Democratic Principles’ is calling for the dismissal of the Vice Chancellor of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Obiri Danso.

According to the group, the Vice Chancellor ought to be kicked out for his “inhumane attitude towards the students who were using democratic means to register their displeasure” against the school’s authorities on Monday.

Demonstrating students torch property at KNUST security post

The group is, therefore, asking the Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, to sack the Vice-Chancellor, as a matter of urgency, since his actions led to the destruction of both public and private property by the students.

The University has since been closed down with immediate effect by the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC).

All, with the exception of foreign students, have up to midday Tuesday to prepare and leave the campus.

A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed by the REGSEC order.

Speaking in an interview on Onua FM’s Yen Sempa on Tuesday, the convener of Campus Forum for Democratic Principles, Ike Yeboah Asante, said: “What happened in the school clearly shows that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Obiri Danso lacks the competencies to manage students of these calibres and for that matter, it will be suicidal for the Ministry of Education to allow him to continue to be the Vice Chancellor of KNUST.”

“We have realized that Professor Kwasi Obiri Danso has become an autocratic leader who is not ready in any way to listen to the students and trying all means to undermine their democratic right,” he alleged.

Mr. Yeboah Asante said they would be disappointed if Dr. Opoku Prempah fails to sack the Vice Chancellor.

“We are once again condemning the inhumane and barbaric attacks on innocent students of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) who were using democratic means to address their issues.

“We members of Campus Forum for Democratic Principles consider the act as not just unlawful but something which is an affront to our democratic principles as a country.

“This bloody useless attack on our dear brothers and sisters has a negative repercussion on the image of the country because Ghana is known all over the world that freedom of association, gathering and speech are order of the day in this country,” he added.

Mr. Yeboah Asante also charged the students to exercise restraint in the course of fighting for their right, in order not to substitute the peace of the school for mayhem.