Residents of the University and Unity Halls of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi have expressed their dissatisfaction with the university authorities, for the rustication and dismissal of some students of the said halls of residence. According to Emmanuel Shaibu Dintigih, President of University Hall, the dismissal and rustication of some executives and members of the halls, came as a result of a confrontation between the two halls on the KNUST campus. He said since the procession that brought about the clash was permitted by the university administration, there was the need for the authority to reinstate the affected students. Speaking at a press conference at the University Hall, famously known as ‘Katanga,’ last Tuesday, he said the rivalry between the two halls has been in existence since the inception of the university, which the authorities are aware of, but had done nothing to salvage the situation. Mr. Dintigih stated that since the university detailed hall masters, senior tutors of the halls, the university security, as well as the Ashanti Region Buffalo Unit of the Ghana Police Service to be part of the process that led to the chaotic scene, the blame should not be put on the students only. He continued that after the incident, the Vice Chancellor’s office set up a committee of enquiry, and the outcome was to dismiss one student from Katanga, reprimand some students of both halls, and rusticated three members of the University Hall, as well as one member of the Unity Hall, without any concrete evidence of any unacceptable behaviour by any of the affected students. “We once again request that our executives and affected students be reinstated as soon as possible, to prevent any further incident. Until these concerns are put into action, the pain in the heart of all ‘Katangees and Continentals,’ that has metamorphosed into a song of revenge on our lips, will prevent peace from prevailing on the KNUST campus,” he stressed. George Tetteh Wayoe, President of Unity Hall said the entire executive of the Students Representative Council (SRC) woefully failed to address the escalating issue of the student body when they were petitioned, saying it was a conspicuous contravention of the oath they swore, to protect and defend the students body. “There have been a lot of negotiations and letters of clemency to both the university administration and to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kwasi Boafo Adarkwah, by both halls, but to no avail,” he stated. He also disclosed that they had sought police clearance to embark on a demonstration to present a petition to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Chancellor of the University, at Manhyia on Thursday March 12, if their petition to the university authorities is not addressed. Source: Chronicle