Otumfuo sets up Committee to probe KNUST vandalism

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has set up a 3-member Committee to independently probe the disturbances that rocked the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and led to a temporary shutdown of the school late last year.

A peaceful demonstration by students last October to protest what they termed ill treatment by the school authorities and security personnel turned violent leading to destruction of school property.

This was after one student was allegedly brutalised by some University security men

School authorities were forced by the tension at the time to send the students packing home and the Governing Council subsequently dissolved by government which put in place an interim council to among other things ensure the re-opening of the school and establish the cause of the violence.

On the back this, the Asantehene who is the Chancellor of KNUST, has constituted a Committee to investigate happenings that led to the demonstration.

Chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Rose Constance Owusu, the Committee which begins work next week, is expected to thoroughly investigate the matter and come out with solutions to prevent future occurrence.

“The Committee shall thoroughly investigate the event surrounding the tragedy of October 22nd, 2018 and their report should help us chart a course into a future that will make us not repeat the embarrassing episode.

“The Committee will be independent and will be given the freedom to do their work without any interference”, Asantehene noted.

Otumfuo said this Saturday at a special congregation for Masters and Doctorate degrees at the University.



He described the vandalism as unfortunate and a dent on the image of the University.

He has however warned that any culture or tradition that does not conform to the University’s regulations will not be entertained.

“Let me state emphatically that Universities are run on regulations to make the academic space tolerable for all; order must be kept and rules followed to allow our 55,000 students have the freedom to operate without intimidation.

“Lewd male student behaviour in the presence of female students in the name of culture and traditions is not justifiable under any circumstances. For as long as I remain Chancellor, the Acts and Statues that establishes the University shall always remain supreme,” Asantehene Otumfuor Osei Tutu II emphasized.