Kumasi: 5 Katanga boys freed

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The five University Hall members, who were arrested in Kumasi, have been released from police cells, Dailymailgh.com can report.

They were released early Saturday after being detained at the Ashanti Regional Police Headquarters for close to 48 hours.

It is unclear whether the suspects were charged by the police.

Relatives and friends thronged the regional command in solidarity with their members as they somberly exited the premises.

The arrest followed the deployment of officers on Thursday to an area known as Maxima—about 3km from the KNUST campus, to disperse a gathering of students and alumni.

Earlier this week, the Ashanti Regional Security Council declared KNUST a security zone due to renewed agitations against the conversion of single-sex halls into mixed halls of residence.

The Kantangees initially wanted to hold the gathering at a particular spot, but they were prevented. According to them, they were having a private gathering.

Katanga must remain a single-sex hall

Constantly, the Katangees have raised concerns over the admission of female students into the hall.

The Ministry of Education which has been closely monitoring the development wants the decision reversed.

In a letter addressed to the University’s Council Chairman, the Ministry said its attention had been drawn to the brewing and simmering tension on the KNUST campus which is likely to affect academic work as well as the university community.

“The Ministry takes note of a similar situation last year which resulted in dire financial and security consequences”, Education Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh said alluding to the Katanga hall conversion as the root cause of the situation.

“I, therefore, wish to reiterate the position of government on this matter that (Katanga) University Hall remains a male hall of residence as prevailing in other sister universities…” the Minister stated.

The University, however says it is yet to receive a copy of the letter.

“As for the speculated letter from the Minister of Education, we are yet to confirm receipt of this letter and I will communicate that to you when we do. Meanwhile, note that the letter was addressed to the Chairman of the Council and not Management”, said University Relations Officer, Dr Daniel Bekoe in an interview.

Dr. Bekoe ensured that, the University campus remains calm as freshmen are going about their duties gleefully whilst the various Halls registrations continuous uninterrupted.

By J. Ofori, Daily Mail GH