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Students whose actions led to the massive destruction of properties at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), would have to brace themselves to bear the full cost of the damages.

Last October, properties estimated at Ghc 1.6 million were destroyed at KNUST following management-student tensions that led to violent protests.

The school was shut down indefinitely with its governing council dissolved.The school will however now reopen on Friday, November 16 for full academic work to resume.

Swearing into office a new governing council for KNUST, the Education Minister was convinced that it is only appropriate for the student front to be held responsible for the damages within the remits of the law.

“The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) must own up to, and be prepared for the consequences of their actions because of the level of destruction. Individually, all found culpable must face the rigours of the law.”

Introspection by management

The Education Minister also tasked authorities and the newly reconstituted governing council of the university to conduct thorough investigations to ensure that the perpetrators of the mayhem are severely dealt with.

“Management must also do an introspection of how they got it so wrong, leading to this carnage, and be prepared to own up to their responsibilities. I entreat you to support the Chancellor in his efforts to get to the bottom of the issues in order for appropriate sanctions to apply.”
Government assures of law and order

Dr. Opoku Prempeh further mentioned that government had taken notice of the development and will take pragmatic measures to avert future occurrences.

“On its part, government has learnt lessons from this episode and wishes to assure the university community that its interest is to ensure law, order and security to enhance teaching and learning in this community. It is the expectation of government that you, as governing council, will take a strong lead and direct an examination of this relationship, identify the issues and provide recommendations on the way forward on preventing similar situations in the future.”