Management of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology says it remains committed to ensuring the safety of students as they write their end-of-semester exams and prepare to go back home.
Earlier this year, President Akufo-Addo directed the management of universities and other educational institutions to reopen schools for the academic year to begin.
Many Ghanaians raised concerns regarding the safety of students as Ghana’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 were increasing at the time.
Management of the public universities however assured parents of their wards’ safety as they said they had made adequate plans to ensure strict compliance to COVID-19 safety protocols to avoid the spread of the virus amongst the students.
More than three months after their return to school, the students are currently writing their end-of-semester examinations, and are preparing to go back home for their holidays.
At the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where face-to-face meetings were combined with virtual learning, management said that although the institution recorded some cases of COVID-19, it was able to bring the situation under control and prevent a mass spread.
Although the university did not disclose the number of students who were infected on campus, the University Relations Officer, Dr. Daniel Noris Bekoe, told Citi News that stringent measures have been put in place by the school to prevent the spread of the virus on campus.
“We recorded a few cases, but most of those cases were recorded when the students were coming from home. So they were quickly isolated and treated and by the end of the first month, we did not have any active case of COVID-19 within the university. And as we are speaking, all the students are fine, they are writing their end-of-semester examination. The safety of our students and staff is our major priority during this COVID-19 era, so we had to put major steps in place.”
Dr. Daniel Noris Bekoe added that since measures put in place by the school prevented the spread of the virus on campus, management will consider improving upon them for the next semester.
During Citi News’ visit to the school, most students on campus were in their nose masks as they went about their usual activities.
Some of them who spoke to Citi News shared their experience on campus amidst COVID-19.
“Coming to school with a nose mask is a little stressful. I think KNUST has been able to put up such a progressive administration that has helped us follow the protocols so I think it has been good so far so good,” says Kwasi Panyin Dawson.
“It has been really stressful. When we stayed at home during the lockdown, they wanted to make us catch up with the lost contact hours so anytime you go for a class the lecturers want to give you assignments for you to go and do. There’s no time,” Gladys Adjetey added.
“This semester has been very stressful. Looking at the time we were given to learn and complete our assignments and everything, it has been really stressful and frustrating. It looks like there’s no time on our side, so the least time we get we have to complete everything, which makes it so complicated.” Ama Williams lamented.