Violent Student Demonstrations At KNUST, Ghana Lead to the University Being Closed Indefinitely

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has been closed down indefinitely following massive student protests on Monday. Monday morning's demonstrations saw students vandalising school property. 

The students' main reason for demonstrating is fighting against what they are calling oppression from school authorities. The Police had been called to the campus amid the unrest. The Police Service intervention was called operation "Calm Life". The situation had got bad such that even the military had to be deployed to the KNUST campus. 

The campus-based security team had earlier on thwarted a students' customary procession. Students mounted roadblocks on campus and marched to halls of residence in order to prevent their colleagues from attending lectures. Others marched to the administration area, vandalising property. 

A decision to close the school indefinitely was agreed on after a meeting between the school authorities and the Ashanti Regional Security Council. A curfew was put in place effective from 6pm on Monday, after an announcement by the Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah. 

From 6:00am to 12:00 noon Tuesday, all students “including student leaders” should vacate the campus premises. However, foreign students are spared and security will be provided for them. 

A statement released by the Ministry said, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh will lead a government delegation to the Kumasi-based school.

“The Ministry of Education has noted with concern developments on the campus of the KNUST in Kumasi, particularly with regard to bodily injuries and the detention of some students as well as the destruction of public property,” the statement said in part.

“The Ministry appeals for calm on all sides as a first step to resolving the difficulties,” it added.

Students destroyed vehicles of university staff including the one owned by the dean of Students. The administration block was pelted with stones. It is all in the name of fighting against the oppression they are subjected to by the school authorities. 

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