KNUST Riots: Lecturers Declare An Indefinite Strike

Lecturers at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have declared an indefinite strike over the dissolution of the university’s Governing Council by the government.

This move by the government has been met with great displeasure by lecturers of the school.

The strike takes effect today October 26, 2018, although the school is currently shut down after the violent protest by students.

The lecturers said they do not support the government’s arbitrary decision without due consultation with them and also sidelining the Vice Chancellor of the University from the interim council.

The government on Thursday, October 25, 2018, released a statement to indicate that they have formed an interim University council after a meeting with stakeholders in the Ashanti Region over the impasse between the University Authorities and students.

The government indicated that, the interim council will be chaired by the Paramount Chief of Bompata Traditional Area, Nana Effa Apenteng for the 3-month period it has been given to serve. The new council is also expected to expedite the reopening of the university.

Excluding VC from new KNUST IMC Disrespectful – Minority

A Ranking Member of Parliament’s Education Committee, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, earlier described as disrespectful the exclusion of the Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Obiri-Danso from the 7-member interim council formed by the government on Thursday.

Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, who is also the Member of Parliament for Akatsi North Constituency said the minority in Parliament is working to haul the Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh before the education committee to explain reasons for Prof. Obiri-Danso’s exclusion from the interim council.

He noted that it was strange for the student representative council to be represented on the interim council while the Vice-Chancellor has been

Background

The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) led the demonstration following the arrest of 10 students and one alumnus of the school.

The Executive Council of the SRC said the demonstration was necessary to end the management’s neglect of students in decision making.

The students were arrested for a holding vigil on campus without permission according to the school authorities.

One other student who was allegedly manhandled by the internal security was hospitalized. The KNUST management, however, justified the arrests, after the students were released on Saturday.