Students will still be actively involved in the management of halls on campus – KNUST Management

Public Relations Officer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Norris Bekoe, says the University will vehemently oppose any set of actions that would obstruct it from pursuing its core mandate.

According to him, the University’s mandate to advance knowledge and train young people to assume leadership positions in the country will not be undermined by violent clashes on campus.

He was speaking concerning the recent clash between students of Unity Hall and Continental Hall on KNUST campus.

The students had pelted stones and brandished weapons at each other; destroying property and causing injury to others.

Following the clash, an arrest warrant has been issued to round up students that were involved in the confrontation.

This is only the latest clash between the two traditional halls in a series of violent clashes which in some cases had led to loss of lives.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Dr. Norris Bekoe noted that while the University’s Management has disbanded the JCR management system as a way to mitigate violent clashes on campus, students will still be actively involved in the management of halls on campus.

“KNUST exists to advance knowledge, to train our young people so that they will be able to take up the mantle from the old people who are leaving the same. And so if anything will destroy or distract us from executing that mandate then the right things must be done.

“What am I saying? I’m just simply saying that we don’t want the situation where there will be constant clashes on campus due to JCR elections or let’s say the management of halls, or halls clashing then attempting to kill each other.

“If you were to watch the CCTV footages that emanated after the recent clash and if you were to see the students with machetes, with iron bars, iron rods, with other equipment, weapons meant to harm their fellow students you’ll be shocked to the bone.

“So what we are saying is this? We are not saying that we’re taking students off the management or the administration of the University halls, what we are saying is those who are resident in those halls are those who are supposed to help the hall masters, hall tutors, to manage the affairs of the universities or the halls,” he said.