Blame Otumfuo for KNUST Riots – Kweku Baako

The Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Abdul Malik Kwaku Baako, has expressed disappointment at government for absorbing the Asantehene from any blame in the rampage that occurred at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) recently.

He said Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who serves as the Chancellor of the University, was present when the impasse between the students and administration started, and should carry part of the blame for the ensuing mayhem.

Speaking on news analysis programme, Newsfile, on Saturday, he said “I am not one of those who would want to exclude the Chancellor entirely from blame when it comes to this issue. He was there from day one; its either he didn’t engage them {students} or they didn’t engage him. Either way both are guilty.

The Asantehene was mandated by government to begin a mediation process for normalcy to return to campus. This led to the dissolution of the University’s Governing Council by government.

However, Kwaku Baako believes government’s conduct creates the impression that the Asantehene wasn’t involved in the matter.

“Governments own conduct is part of it. This idea that we have handed over the issue to the chancellor to resolve creates the impression that he (Otumfuo) wasn’t involved in the matter,” he said.

New KNUST Council

Meanwhile, government has made four nominations as its representatives on the reconstituted Governing Council of the University.

They are: Nana Effah Appenteng, a retired diplomat and Omanhene of Bompata Traditional Area; Hilda Haggar Ampadu, an alumnus and public health specialist; Steve Anoff Amoaning-Yankson, president of the Ghana Institute of Engineers; and Mr. Alex Quaynor, a private legal practitioner.

The nominations was triggered when members of the KNUST branches of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) accused the Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Prof Kwesi Yankah, of interfering in the two Unions’ procedures in choosing their representatives on the council.

By: Emmanuel Yeboah Britwum