The management of Tamale Technical University has suspended its planned fee increment after student protests erupted on campus. What began as a peaceful demonstration quickly escalated as frustrated students confronted security personnel, demanding improved infrastructure and greater accountability from university management.
Police from the Northern Regional Police Command were called in to restore calm but were met with resistance, as protesters pelted them with stones. Three students and three police officers sustained injuries during the unrest. The students accuse management of failing to account for development levies collected over the years, arguing that despite continuous payments, no tangible projects have been undertaken.
Speaking to Naa Dedei Tettey on Morning Starr, TaTU SRC Public Relations Officer Musah Mahamadu said students are tired of empty promises.
“So, we felt like talking is just the normal way, and we are not ready to listen to that anymore. That is why we are saying that they should put it in a paper form, we’ll give it to the public and we’ll make sure that we wait for the management to follow what they are telling us, and not just by mouth.”
Management, however, insists that the fee increment would have provided resources to address students’ concerns. Speaking on GHToday on GHOne TV, Director of Public Affairs Osman Mubarik Abu said the increment has been suspended temporarily to allow for further engagement with student leaders.
“To consolidate our relationship with them, management decided to, in the interim, halt the increment so that we will engage further with key stakeholders to see how best we can deal with this issue.”
He also defended the decision to involve police, citing concerns that the protest could have gotten out of hand.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of the education think tank Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, has urged university managements to adopt inclusive decision-making processes that actively involve students. He also emphasized the need for a robust infrastructural development drive for technical universities. According to Mr. Asare, the transition from polytechnics to universities has largely been nominal, with little improvement in facilities.
“If we want to call the conversion from polytechnic to technical universities an upgrade and really give meaning to the STEM to humanities ratio targets in the education strategic plan, then we must invest in expanded infrastructure in our technical universities.”
The developments at Tamale Technical University highlight broader issues facing technical education institutions across the country. Addressing these challenges through transparent governance and significant infrastructure investment will be crucial to meeting the growing demands of students and ensuring quality education.
Story by: Elikplim Awuku
