‘University Council has power to convert halls, not gov’t’ – NAPO

The Education Minister, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh has clarified the government’s stance on the conversion of some all-male halls of residence at public universities.

Dr. Opoku Prempeh explained that a recent letter from the Education Ministry on the conversion of halls at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) emphasized the government’s position on the conversion policy.

“Government position has been well stated. Ultimately, it is the University Council that decides. I will not change government’s policy on the whim. Government has stated its aversion to the policy and that policy, in as much as it affects any hall is a policy the government is against. That is government’s position. Probably people do not read well.”

“Government talked about its aversion to the policy. I wrote to the Chairman of the University Council, expressing government’s position on the mixed hall policy and it is about the policy, it is not about Katanga,” the Minister explained.

The government had urged authorities of the school to reconsider their decision of turning all-male Katanga Hall into a mixed one.

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Mr. Prempeh in a letter to the Chairman of the University Council on Thursday explained that the move is “to preserve a peaceful and conducive environment for academic work and cordial relationship in the University.”

The KNUST Registrar, Andrews Kwasi Boateng, on Thursday called for calm on the university campus following rising tensions after the conversion of some traditionally single-sex halls into mixed halls.

He said the university is not insensitive to concerns raised by stakeholders concerning the conversions.

Mr. Kwasi Boateng assured the university community as well as the general public that, the Chancellor is currently studying a committee report on the development.


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Ellis Ferdinand
Ellis Ferdinand is a Journalist, Blogger and Founder of Ellis Multimedia, a parent company of EducationGhana.org, an Online Education News Blog, PoliticsGhana.com and GhanaNaija.net.Ellis Ferdinand is a Graduate of Accra College of Education and the University of Cape Coast, where he obtained a Diploma In Basic Education and a Bachelor of Education in Accounting. He is currently Reading his Master of Philosophy in Curriculum and Pedagogic Studies at the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana.Ellis Ferdinand won Blogger of the Year at the 2018 National Students’ Awards and was also adjudged 14th Best Ghanain Blogger in 2018 among the Top 50 Ghanaian Bloggers of 2018.He introduced the Concept of Education Blogging in Ghana in 2014 with his famous blog EducationGhana.net. now EducationGhana.orgHis Blog won Best Media Promoting Education in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively, an Award organized by Neogenics Education Consult.In 2019, He adjudged the Most Promising West African Blogger of the Year in Nigeria. He won Writer of the Year at the 2021 EDUCOM AWARDS

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