Commentary on the Tamale Technical University Protest: A Call for Justice and Accountability

As a law student deeply committed to the principles of justice, human rights, and the rule of law in Ghana, I am profoundly disturbed by the events that unfolded at Tamale Technical University on September 16, 2025. What began as a legitimate student demonstration against alleged financial mismanagement, unjustified fee hikes, and deteriorating campus facilities such as dilapidated hostels and unusable lecture halls escalated into a violent clash, leaving several students seriously injured. Reports indicate that police deployed water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries that could have long-term consequences for those affected. This heavy-handed response by the police not only undermines the democratic fabric of our society but also raises serious questions about the boundaries of state authority in handling peaceful assemblies.

At the heart of this issue is the fundamental right to demonstrate, enshrined in Article 21(1)(d) of Ghana's 1992 Constitution, which guarantees all persons the freedom of assembly, including the right to take part in processions and demonstrations. This right is not absolute, of course it must be exercised in conformity with the law, such as the Public Order Act of 1994, which requires notification to the police for special events in public places to ensure public safety. However, the students' grievances were rooted in genuine concerns over the misuse of funds and poor infrastructure, issues that directly impact their education and well-being. Protesting such matters is a legitimate expression of dissent in a democracy, and it should be protected rather than met with brutality. The Constitution does allow for restrictions on this right in the interest of public order, but these must be reasonable, necessary, and proportional, a standard that appears to have been flagrantly violated here.

The role of the police during demonstrations is clear under Ghanaian law

They are to facilitate the exercise of rights, maintain order, and intervene only when absolutely necessary to prevent harm or a breach of peace. Guidelines emphasize that in dispersing unlawful but non-violent assemblies, law enforcement should avoid the use of force wherever possible, and any force applied must be minimal and targeted.

In this case, the escalation to water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets leading to a chaotic clash seems disproportionate, especially if the initial protest was largely peaceful. Visual evidence from the scene shows tear gas canisters exploding and fires erupting amid the confrontation, but the police's aggressive tactics appear to have fueled rather than quelled the unrest.

Such actions not only risk violating international human rights standards on policing assemblies but also erode public trust in the Ghana Police Service. If the police's mandate is to protect citizens, how can we justify assaults that leave young scholars hospitalized for exercising their constitutional rights?

That said, accountability must cut both ways.

While the police bear primary responsibility for the excessive force, reports and footage from the protest indicate that some students engaged in unlawful behavior, including throwing stones at officers, and setting fires, possibly to tires or barricades, which contributed to the violence.

These acts of destruction, if confirmed, are regrettable and must be unequivocally criticized. Vandalism and violence undermine the legitimacy of any protest, turning a rightful call for change into chaos that harms the very cause it seeks to advance. Students, as future leaders, have a duty to channel their frustrations through lawful means, adhering to the same legal standards they demand from authorities. Any involvement in property destruction should be investigated and addressed through due process, without excusing the police's overreach.

This incident is not isolated; it reflects broader systemic failures in Ghana's higher education sector, where student voices are often silenced amid allegations of failure and neglect.

University management must recognize that an institution like Tamale Technical University exists primarily because of its students. Without us, it devolves into little more than a research institute, devoid of the vibrant learning community that defines it. It is imperative that management engages in good-faith dialogue to address these demands reversing unjust fee increases, improving facilities, and ensuring transparent financial accountability. Failure to do so not only perpetuate injustice but also risks further unrest.

In light of this, I call upon student leaders from other institutions across Ghana and student unions in Ghana, Student leaders from the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Cape Coast and beyond to unite their voices with those of Tamale Technical University's students.

Let us amplify the call for justice: demand an independent investigation into the police conduct, compensation for the injured, and systemic reforms to protect the right to protest. Together, we can pressure authorities to uphold the law, ensuring that demonstrations remain a tool for progress rather than a trigger for violence. The future of our education and our democracy depends on it.

Ebenezer Nii Kwartey Quartey
Legal Affairs Commissioner, KNUST SRC

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