Arguing its case against the conversion, the group, which calls itself the Old Continentals Association, said the decision will erase erode the pan-African roots of the hall whilst “destroying the intention of the forebearers.”

Speaking to Citi News, the spokesperson for the Old Continentals Association, George Tetteh, insisted that the establishment of their hall was part of an African heritage which ought to be preserved.

“In summary, what we are petitioning the Ministry is that the intention to convert the hall into a mixed-sex hall is not welcomed by the old boys of the hall. The hall stands for a certain monumental legacy.

“The hall was named Continental Unity Hall. That reminds us of the continental struggle and the emancipation of our continent. So it doesn’t stand there just like that but it stands as a hall with certain historical significance,” he argued.

The Unity Hall, also known as Conti, and University Hall, also known as Katanga, are being converted to boost the female intake and meet international standards of gender balance, according to the school’s management.

Some students, however, believe that the management’s decision to convert the halls into mixed residences is a strategy to curtail the long-standing feud between the two halls, which has been known to turn bloody in the past.

–

By: Michael Ogbodu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Old students storm Education Ministry over Katanga, Conti conversion appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Unity Hall, also known as Conti, along with University Hall, also known as Katanga, are being converted to boost the female intake and meet international standards of gender balance, according to the school’s management.

Some students, however believe that the management’s decision to convert the halls into mixed, is a strategy to curtail the long-standing feud between the two halls, which has been known to turn bloody in the past.

The alumni of the two halls are however resisting the move, saying the reason given by the school is not good enough to collapse the tradition and heritage of the two male halls.

A former Unity Hall President, George Tetteh Wayo, indicated their resolve to Citi News, saying the alumni will go every length to see that the decision is reversed.

“We’ll put up a petition to the Education Minister because, definitely, it is that arm of government that looks into matters of education. So we would have to apply and we will put in that petition for the minister to look into the matter, and we have justifiable reasons why we think that this move by the university is not proper,” Mr. Wayo said.

The Spokesperson of the University, Kwame Yeboah Jnr., told Gemma Appiah of Citi FM’s partner station, Focus FM that, the University seeks to meet international standards of gender balance on University campuses.

–

By: Philip Nii Lartey & Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Old students to petition gov’t over Katanga, Conti conversion appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Management wants University Hall, popularly known as Katanga and Unity Hall to now accommodate females.

The students have vowed to resist the move saying that they will stage a massive demonstration to register their displeasure over the decision.

They argue that the decision, should it stand, will erode a long-standing tradition of the two halls, which must be guarded.

The spokesperson of the University, Kwame Yeboah Jnr., told Gemma Appiah of Citi FM’s partner station, Focus FM that, the University seeks to meet international standards of gender balance on University campuses.

“It is to provide accommodation for more females students in the University. We will need more places for females so the result has been to continue the process of making the male halls mixed ones,” he said.

Halls such as Independence Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Republic Hall were all occupied by only males in the past but were converted to mixed halls.

Africa Hall remains the only single-sex hall at the school for only females.

But some students believe that management’s decision is a strategy to curtail the long-standing feud between the two halls which has often turned bloody.

Meanwhile, the President of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the school, David Dannah says it is making efforts to ensure that students understand the motive behind the decision.

“We also have a responsibility to protect what KNUST stands for. We are serving the interest of our students, making sure that everyone is okay with every decision that is being taken,” he said.

‘UG’s Commonwealth Hall to be mixed hall’

In 2010, there was an attempt to convert Commonwealth Hall of the University of Ghana to a mixed hall.

The Hall, which is the only men-only hall at the University had gained notoriety for resistance to many University policies and have openly staged protests against University management.

The attempt to convert the hall to a mixed-sex hall was seen as an attempt to limit the hall’s influence against management.

It came at a time when members of the hall heckled the Chancellor and former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, and other dignitaries who attended the 2010 Congregation of the University.

The University described their behaviour as “unruly”.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor & Gemma Appiah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post KNUST: Students protest conversion of Katanga, Conti to mixed halls appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.