Secretary of the University of Ghana’s chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana(UTAG), Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison has outlined strategies that universities can adopt to regulate student elections and curb external interference and violence in student politics.
He shared this view after the unfortunate events that occured at the Junior Common Room (JCR) elections at Alexander Adum Kwapong Hall, where the NPP Vice Chairperson of the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency and the president of TESCON-Legon, accompanied by several male members, stormed the JCR office and assaulted executives, according to a press statement from the Kwapong Hall JCR.
In a live interview on Univers News, he voiced his concern over the persistent violence during student elections and emphasized the importance of enforcing the school’s code of conduct.
“I am completely disappointed that these acts of violence have continued to characterize our elections on campus over the past few years. We should put our feet now and take decisive actions that we prevent such occurrences in the future. Indeed, within our universities we have rules and regulations governing everything that we do and that is why the student affairs are in charge of student activities and all that. Every student on campus have the code of conduct that are supposed to abide by.”
“Anytime there are measures to curtail external interference activities student always protest. I’m hoping that the police thoroughly investigate into the matter and those found guilty should be punished to serve as a deterrent to others.”
Dr. Harrison also called on the management of the university to engage with the Ghana Police Service to be able to put proper security measures during elections.
“The Ghana Police Service should be interested in what’s happening. I believe that management relates with the Ghana Police Service to be able to put proper security measures in place to avoid any kind of violence.”
In anticipation of the upcoming UGSRC and national elections, he urged young people to refrain from participating in violent activities, which they are often drawn into.
“Well, I think that young people should always think when violence as an option is presented to them. Ask yourself, is it worth losing your life for election? Because once violence erupts, you never know what the outcome is going to be. Let’s start from the campus, as an intellectual, do you think that the best way to decide issues is by engaging in violence? These are questions that we should ask ourselves. Are the children of politician involve in what you are doing? It clearly belittle your intelligent to be called upon to engage in violence by politicians whereby either their children are abroad studying or making money and enjoying themselves.”
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Story by: Jennifer Loman | universnews.ug.edu.gh
