SDA students go to court against examination dates

Accra, Nov. 16, GNA - Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) students pursuing various courses at the University of Ghana, Legon, have filed an ex-parte motion at an Accra Fast Track High Court restraining the University from conducting examinations on Saturdays. The 149 students led by Mr Emmanuel Adu Poku are praying the court for an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the University from conducting examinations on November 19; November 26; December 3 and December 10 2005.

They are also seeking perpetual injunction to restrain agents and servants of the University among others not to compel them to participate in academic activities including writing examinations on Saturdays.

The motion said the University's conduct of rescheduling examinations on Saturdays for courses offered was "illegal, unlawful and breach of human rights".

They are therefore seeking an order from the Court to direct the University to reschedule all examinations fixed on Saturdays. In an affidavit supporting the motion, the students declared that they were all members of the SDA, who sincerely practised the SDA religious faith that did not allow them to engage in any secular activity or work on Saturday (The Sabbath Day) These activities, they said, included attending lectures and tutorials or seminars.

When the case was called, the University was not represented. The Court, therefore, ordered Mr A.T. Konu, Registrar of the University, to file a supplementary affidavit in response within 24 hours upon receiving the motion.

The Court, however, indicated that it would give a ruling on Thursday.