Authorities of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi are reportedly taking steps to convert two male halls into mixed halls.
The authorities are said to have taken a bold decision to convert Unity Hall and the University Hall popularly known as "Katanga" to accommodate females for the purpose of providing sufficient intern accommodation.
Some students, however, believe that management’s decision is a strategy to curtail the long-standing feud between the two halls which has often turned bloody.
But speaking on Peace FM's Kokrokoo, Minister of Education Mathew Opoku-Prempeh has expressed varied views on the issue.
According to him, the authorities should not impose their decision on the students but rather respect them.
He called for a dialogue between the student body and the authorities to reach a consensus on the matter.
Giving a personal position on the issue, the Education Minister subtly kicked against the idea for the halls to convert into mixed halls because to him, historically, Katanga is a "unique hall" which would not be best for females to join their male colleagues.
He questioned the authorities' decision to convert the two male halls into a mixed one but would not also do same to the female halls like the Africa hall.
The Minister, who is also an alumna of KNUST, recounted that during his days in the University; there was a similar decision to convert those two halls into mixed ones but it never worked because the females themselves refused to enter the two halls.
In his earnest view, converting the two halls into mixed halls might create problems in the University, so advised the authorities to "think about it carefully. We should just do anything because we have power. Where there’s no trouble, you don’t go and cause trouble.
“Everything is about dialogue. Gone are the days of imposition. So, they should sit down with the students…I’ll plead with the Tech (KNUST) authorities not to do anything without involving the students. They should call the students and respect their views…We should meet with the students’ body and jaw-jaw”.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
| Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
