KNUST Riots: Property Destroyed Cost Ghc1.7m

Officials at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have said the estimated cost of damage caused the university after the October 22 demonstration is between the range of GH¢1.6 million and GH¢1.7 million.

The demonstration, which the students said was peaceful, turned violent leading to the destruction of property.

The students who boycotted classes and poured on the streets of the campus were protesting alleged brutalities meted out to their colleagues who were arrested at the University Hall last Friday and later granted bail.

The angry students burnt the official vehicle of the Dean of Students and reportedly ransacked the Vice Chancellor’s office and other school and private property.

KNUST Relations Officer Kwame Yeboah told Ultimate FM’s Ivan Fumador Wednesday “the damage cost has been assessed and it’s in the region of about 1.6 to 1.7 milion cedis. So if we use the old currency it’s about 16 to 17 billion cedis”.

He added “these exclude items that were stolen in our offices. Both private and public property. The assessment done was on the facilities that were destroyed, the CCTV cameras, vehicles, and items in the offices, glasses that were smashed.

“We can’t wait for the committee to finish its work. We are putting certain measures in place. If you saw the reception, you could see the place is cleaned. All we need to do is to fix some new glasses there, we need to get new CCTV cameras.”

As to who, between the students and the University, will bear the cost of damage, He said the Council will be expected to look into all those matters and advise.

According to him, the school will resume as soon as possible and that the students will be duly notified if the Council is inaugurated and advises.