The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has reiterated its declaration of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as a security zone.
REGSEC in a letter asked school authorities to take note of the new notice and observe it accordingly.
“On behalf of the Ashanti Regional Security Council, I write to inform you that the declaration of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology as a security zone is still in force and must be upheld until further notice.”
It, however, cautioned that persons who flout rules and regulations to throw the school into a state of turmoil will be severely dealt with.
“In this regard, anybody who directly or indirectly engages in activities that may disturb the peace on the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology campus shall be sternly dealt with in accordance with the law. Breaches will attract the maximum legal security penalty or sanctions associated.”
In 2019, the conversion of two male halls in the school to mixed ones led to students riot and subsequent destruction of properties estimated at over GHc1.6 million.
The rioting also led to the temporary closure of the university.
Ashanti REGSEC declared KNUST as a security zone after it said it had gathered intelligence that some alumni were instigating students to engage in activities that will disturb academic work and peace on the campus.
It also served notice that it shall ensure strict enforcement of the laws concerning public order, whenever they are breached.
Management of the University indicated that the declaration of the University as a security zone by the Ashanti Regional Security Council, will not affect its academic calendar at the time.
Declaring KNUST security zone unnecessary – Alumni
Following the events, the KNUST Alumni expressed shock at the decision of the Ashanti Regional Security Council to declare the campus a security zone.
The Interim President for the Unity Old Continentals Alumni, Albert Amegavi, in an interview with Citi News said the Council is being overly reactive.
Mr. Albert Amegavi was also of the view that the situation on campus does not warrant REGSEC’s declaration of the place as a security zone.
“The Alumni is surprised by the decision of the REGSEC, and as much they are in control of the region, we don’t know what prompted them to release such a statement. They said it is based on intelligence on the ground, but we hope that their intelligence is the right course. I don’t think there is any cause for alarm to declare KNUST a security zone.”