Conversion Of Katanga And Unity Halls: Akufo-Addo Meets KNUST Alumni

The alumni of two halls of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), are seeking the intervention of the president to reverse a decision of school authorities.

They are irked by the university's decision to convert the previously single-sex halls -popularly known as Katanga and Unity - into mixed hall.

The past students say this is a sign of intimidation by the university authority and allege that there is a growing culture of silence in the two halls as students who challenge the authorities are victimised.

School authorities in January 2018, revealed plans to convert the two halls into mixed halls. They argue that they want to assign female students to the halls in order to accommodate their increasing number of female students.

Also, they seek to curb violent clashes between the two former all-male halls which have been a result of a long-standing rivalry between them.

In response to this decision, residents of the two halls in August embarked on a demonstration in the capital, Accra to register their disagreement.

They argued that the single-sex hall has become a brand and a tradition for them.

Subsequently, they sent the issue to the Kumasi High court, which threw out an injunction application seeking to prevent KNUST authorities from going ahead with their decision.

The court explained that residence has already been granted to female students and seeking to prevent same would interrupt the activities of the school.

The injunction applications were filed differently by the now former two all-male halls but the court ordered that the applications be consolidated.

After the lawyers made their argument, the presiding judge ruled that the female students who have been allocated rooms in the two halls are already occupying those spaces so reversing same would be inimical to school activities.

But the alumni say the factors that led to this decision do not sit well with them so they are looking up to the president as the father of the nation for his intervention.

They told Joy News’ Elton John Brobbey that the traditions of the halls must be upheld at all times hence their decision to seek a sit down with the president Wednesday afternoon.