The management of Tamale Technical University (TaTU) has described Tuesday’s student protest as a complete surprise, despite earlier engagements aimed at addressing student concerns.
The Director of Public Affairs, Osman Mubarak Abu, told Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen that while students had raised several issues, management had already begun taking steps to resolve them.
“We engaged them on Monday, but the meeting was not conclusive. Management invited them for another meeting, which they did not attend. Only for us to wake up the next morning to this demonstration,” Mr. Abu explained.
Efforts to hold an emergency follow-up meeting with the students were unsuccessful, as they declined the invitation. To prevent property damage and restore order, police were called to the campus.
Mr. Abu noted that the grievances raised by students included school fee increases and complaints against the Vice-Chancellor, Finance Director, and some faculty members.
“It is unfortunate this chaos happened, but we are committed to finding amicable solutions. There is a reason we are university staff; without students, we have no business being here,” he stressed.
The protest, jointly organized by the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) and the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), was initially intended to highlight deteriorating campus facilities and delays in the disbursement of funds.
Scores of students sustained injuries when the peaceful demonstration turned chaotic following a confrontation with police.
Mr. Osman assured that management is currently holding a crisis meeting to expedite decisions that will restore normalcy at the university.
Source: Gertrude Otchere
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