The Old Vandals Association in North America (OVA-NA), has condemned the University of Ghana authorities for applying a “kangaroo court” process to deal with the recent disturbances on campus between some students of Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah halls.
In a communiqué issued by the Old Vandals Association in North America (OVA-NA) at the end of their 2022 Congress held in Maryland, USA from September 2-5, 2022, they said the “process is reminiscent of a kangaroo court and must be condemned.”
In the early hours of Saturday, August 6, 2022, a vehicle parked at the Mensah Sarbah Hall of the University of Ghana was set ablaze during a clash between some students of the Commonwealth and Mensh Sarbah halls.
University property was destroyed during the inter-hall fight. Notice boards, waste containers, Veronica buckets and some vehicles were also destroyed during the clash.
A bust of John Mensah Sarbah situated in front of the hall was also removed during the clash.
Later, the Governing Council of the university recommended an indefinite suspension of the Hall Master and Senior Tutor of the Commonwealth Hall.
The Council also recommended that Commonwealth Hall be surcharged with the cost of damages to property in the vicinity of Mensah Sarbah Hall during the violent clashes which led to the burning of a vehicle and destruction of university property.
The Council noted that the clashes between students of the two halls had become progressively more frequent and violent, and stressed the need for urgent action to stop the clashes and ease the tensions between students of the two halls.
In that regard, the Council stated that “no events organized by students, should be held for the remainder of the 2021/2022 academic year without the express approval of the Dean of Student Affairs”.
In addition, students who are offered places in halls of residence would be made to sign undertakings to be of good behaviour.
Again, the council resolved to review the composition of the Halls, which will mean conversion of Commonwealth Hall into a mixed one. Previous attempts to convert Commonwealth Hall which is the only all males hall on campus failed.
The old vandals have vowed to use every means possible to resist any attempt to alter the composition of the Hall.
SOURCE theGhanaianVoice
