KNUST Shutdown: Students Leave Campus After Riots

The students of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have complied with the directive from the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) as they begin packing out from the school.

The Regional Minister announced that the students have up to 12:00 noon Tuesday to vacate the premises.

This follows violent protests that led to the destruction of private and university property.

Background 

The arrest of 10 students and one alumnus of the school compelled the SRC to mobilise for the protest.

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

One other student who was allegedly manhandled by the internal security was hospitalised admission at the KNUST hospital.

The Executive Council of the SRC said the demonstration was necessary to convey student frustration.

The arrests came after the KNUST management served notice that it had suspended the organisation of vigils (morales) in the school.

The management said this was because of “several negative issues encountered recently with respect to morales in the hall.”

Some of the protesters called for the removal of the Vice-Chancellor.

The SRC said the actions of the campus security and the police officers were a “gross deviation” because the two agencies were rather to protect them.

The council also promised students that it would ensure the security officers who allegedly manhandled students were held accountable whilst urging them to hence students should remain calm.