A three-member committee has been inaugurated to investigate the October 22 disturbances at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The committee is chaired by former Supreme Court judge, Rose Constance Owusu.
Chancellor of KNUST Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II called for cooperation from all stakeholders to enable the committee come out with recommendations that will inure to the integrity of KNUST.
A violent demonstration of students led to the destruction of property running into GH¢1.7 million.
The students were protesting what they alleged to be ill-treatment and brutalities by the school authorities and security personnel.
The aggrieved students were also protesting plans by the University’s authorities to convert the single-sex halls into mixed halls.
The three-member committee has been tasked by the Chancellor to investigate the outbreak of the violence on campus and determine the immediate and remote causes.
The Committee is also to consider any or matters pertaining to the administration of the University and relevant to it and also make recommendations to avert future recurrence.
The Asantehene was optimistic the work of the committee will serve as a useful purpose to throw the searchlight on some actions of the management of the University to enhance the managerial and academic integrity of KNUST.
“The work of the committee will offer a rare opportunity which will serve a useful searchlight on cobwebs that might need clearance for the enhancement of managerial and academic integrity of KNUST.”
He described the October 22 disturbances as the worst in the history of the University.
“The ability to resolve the disturbances will inspire confidence in all stakeholders of the university. As an academic institution, KNUST has a mandate to nurture intellectually equipped and morally uplifting future leaders and not churn out lawless and indiscipline mobs.”
Chairperson of the Committee Justice Rose Constance Owusu explained that “the goal of the committee is to get to the bottom of the matter with a view to finding lasting solution to the student unrest”.
She said “findings will be based on facts and I therefore ask for the support of all stakeholders to furnish the committee with relevant information that will help us unravel the cause of the disturbances”.
Other members include a former Director General of the Ghana Education Service, Very Rev. Ama Afo Blay, and the Regional Director of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), David Adu Osei.
Registrar of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs Kofi Owusu will serve as Secretary to the Committee.
By Beatrice Spio-Garbrah|3news.com|Ashanti Region|Ghana