Conversion Of Kat And Conti To Mixed Halls

16.08.2018 LISTEN

The destiny of the university lies in solidarity, positive dynamism, and, for that matter, KATANGEESM

Fellows, Continentals, the student populace and Professor Obiri, my greetings. It was just a speculation until it was announced during SCC that Unity Hall and University Hall were going to be converted to mix halls. No reason was given on that occasion but later it became known in the public space that it was because the school wanted to accommodate more females on Campus. But some of us believe it goes way beyond just accommodation.

ACCOMMODATION
In 2016, the sitting Vice Chancellor decided to admit more than the usual which saw some students (freshmen) staying off campus. To me, it was my first time witnessing such. But I want to know, did the school think of how to accommodate these students? Did it realize the consequences thereafter? Well, I’ll leave it for the gods. Back to the whole conversion of the two halls. I personally do not think this is the way to go about solving such matter. Dragging the boys out and bringing the girls in amounts to discrimination against the boys which isn’t the best way to go. “In the process of promoting the girl child education, the boy child must not be discriminated.” This will only serve as a temporary solution to only the females with accommodation issues in the school. I would suggest to the school authorities that, if the school does not have enough facilities to accommodate more students yet, they should hold on with the admission of large number of students in the University, put measures in place to accommodate these students and _then_ go ahead to admit any number of students they can accommodate. Or they can admit them and offer them spaces in the GUSSS hostels to sleep on an interim basis as the school find ways to solve accommodation problems.

STUDENT VANDALISM
It has been rumored that the conversion is as a result of the unhealthy rivalry between the two halls which sometimes ends up in radical vandalism. This, for the past years, has been a headache for both students and the school’s administration. No reasonable person will support such acts of vandalism. But I do not think converting both halls to mixed halls will change such acts. Back then, in Katanga, continuing students were allowed to stay in the hall – including Master’s students. This was to ensure that the continuing students would tutor and monitor the acts of freshmen so that they wouldn't go wayward. And it appears to have worked. So I would suggest that the 'in-out-out-in' programme be brought back so that our freshmen can be monitored because mostly and surprisingly, they are the worst of culprits.

ORIENTATION
Everyone in the University is considered an adult and thus free. But in Katanga, there is seniority. First year as a freshman during orientation, you will be told the “don’ts” of the hall and a breach of that attracted punishment. One of the “don’ts” was ‘proce’ without the consent of MPANIMFO) (The word that led to my suspension from the hall). So sometimes it isn’t about Katanga people fighting, it is about the environment some of these individuals come from. We are oriented not to go on ‘proce’ illegally but you will see the stubborn people breaching that rule.

ACTIVISM
Many mistake activism for radicalism. Activism does not mean throwing stones at your brothers from other halls. Brother, that is radicalism and you will be punished for that. Activism is the policy or action with vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change. Back in the days was when Kat and Conti could demonstrate together against school authorities’ decisions gone wrong. Now what do we see? I will advice my brothers from both Conti and Kat to do what they stand for, not to hurt their reputation and themselves all in the name of a wrong definition of ACTIVISM.

I firmly believe that when the right things are put in place and the right things are done, nobody will be hurt and KNUST will be a better place for students to be.

Thank you very much.
The name still is Kofi Yesu. A boy who is an affiliate of Republic Hall but slept in Katanga to become a Man. I am a Fellow, I am a Katangee and I believe in KATANGA SOLIDARITY.