University Hall of KNUST calls for independent enquiry

Kumasi, May 1, GNA - The executives of the University Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have called for an independent enquiry into the disturbances that characterised the Hall's recent participation in the Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students (GNUPS) Annual Week Celebration Fun Games held at the Kumasi Polytechnic in Kumasi.

The students expressed misgivings about the committee of enquiry set up by the Principal of Kumasi Polytechnic, Dr Lord Asamoah, saying the Committee lacked credibility, since it did not have a representation of the Hall.

"Our understanding was that since this was a clash between two institutions, any Committee that is formed must be independent and acceptable to the parties involved", they said.

Speaking at a press conference in Kumasi on Saturday, Mr Ellis Hippocrates Nkrumah, the Hall Secretary stated that the terms of reference of the Committee did not reflect the Hall's petition sent to the Principal that stated their concerns in relation to the disturbances.

Mr Nkrumah said it was unfortunate that while the Committee was even yet to come out with its recommendations, the Hall's investigation had established that the Principal had impressed upon the Students Representative Council (SRC) of the Kumasi Polytechnic to lodge a complaint with the Police.

This development, he said, clearly demonstrated the Principal's bias and entrenched position he has taken in the process of finding an amicable settlement to the issue.

Mr Nkrumah further indicated that the Hall was not happy with some media reports that suggested that residents of the University Hall were violent people and that they initiated the rowdyism, stressing that it was high time they became circumspect in their reportage. The University Hall, as part of its 42nd Hall celebrations participated in the GNUPS fun games, however, in a football match against Sunyani Polytechnic, the Hall boycotted the match in the second half citing bias officiating.

This move did not go down well with the spectators, most of who were believed to be students of Kumasi Polytechnic as they attacked each other leading to the destruction of the Polytechnic's library and glass windows of the Hall's bus while a number of students also sustained various degrees of injury.