Court Blocks UG Demo-Students Unhappy

The Ghana police have secured a court injunction to restrain students of the University of Ghana, Legon, from hitting the streets on Tuesday to demonstrate against what they described as exorbitant fees. The student leadership confirmed to Citi FM that it received the document which prevents them from going ahead with their planned protest. According to them, the document stated that the proposed routes for the demonstration have not been approved by the police. A spokesperson of the agitated students, Kweku Boadu speaking to Citi News described the development as unfair. “If you would not allow the youth to demonstrate the frustrations they are going through in the form of organised demonstrations then what more do you want them to do,” Boadu said. “If we are going to suppress and make sure the conduct of well intended demonstrations are frustrated then it is an unhealthy development in our society. ” The police have, however, defended its stance saying the service wrote to the students stating they disapprove of the chosen routes. Speaking to Citi News ACP Cyprian Zenge, the Greater Accra Regional Police PRO, said the roads were directly disapproved by the regional Police Commander, Rose Bio Atinga. Meanwhile, the University of Ghana authorities have announced a reduction in school fees for the current academic year. This move, however, covers only graduate students. The decision was arrived at after a meeting between the graduate students leadership and officials of the university led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ernest Aryeetey. The graduate students had indicated their intention to demonstrate if their concerns were not addressed, but a dialogue with the university authorities led to the removal of some components of the school fees.