We’ve not yet decided on privatizing UG halls – Dean of Students

The Dean of Students Affairs at the University of Ghana, Prof. Godfred Bokpin has indicated that no decision has been reached yet on privatizing some four halls of residence at the school.

The Students Representative Council of the university had accused management of the University of trying to privatize some four halls to enable them defray a credit facility they took to put up such structures.

The students claimed that the university has not been able to service the GHc43 million loan adding that the amount had now ballooned to over GHc500 million.

But in an interview with Citi News, Prof. Godfred Bokpin called for calm.

“The truth of the matter is that, the University does not have the balance sheet to absorb that debt. So the loan that was Ghc43 million has now grown to 528 million due to the judgment that was given. The University has been having discussions with the consortium of banks led by CAL Bank to see how to restructure it.”

“This why the students have picked the signal that these hostels may be privatized. For us, it was an option that came up but a firm decision hasn’t been taken to privatize those hostels. In the last couple of months that I engaged the students, they were very reasonable so I want to believe that we will all sit down and discuss and then find a compromised position to help the growing concern of the University and give comfort to the banks,” he added.

Students’ concern

Students of the University of Ghana on Thursday gave management of the university as well as government a one-week ultimatum to completely halt the alleged planned privatization of the four halls.

According to Sylvester Owusu Amoako, President of the SRC, students cannot afford the residential fees that will be imposed on them should the halls be privatized.

“The prices, as compared to other halls, is expensive, we cannot afford it. We are calling for a round table discussion with the university management, the Ministry of Education and the government of Ghana must intervene in this matter. We are giving an ultimatum to have the round table discussion. I believe that after one week if we don’t get a round table discussion, then its en route to the registry and from there en route to the Flagstaff house,” he said.