Tensions are rising at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), as students voice strong objections to musician Kwabena Kwabena’s unexpected entry into the race for Students’ Representative Council (SRC) President.
The award-winning highlife artist has sparked controversy on campus after a viral video surfaced showing him engaging in widespread campaigning activities, including visits to student hostels and interactions with the student body. His campaign, however, has been met with scepticism and concern from several quarters within the university community.
In an interview with Univers Entertainment, some students expressed disapproval of Kwabena Kwabena’s candidacy, questioning both his eligibility and motives. According to them, the musician is not a known student of UPSA and has not been visibly involved in any student-led initiatives or welfare programs before the campaign.
“The reason why most of the celebrities in the various universities are going for these kindof positions are, I feel like because they are celebrities they feel like ‘oh let me just stand for this position and all the students will vote for me because I’m a celebrity.’ To me it doesn’t but to other people it would because someone cannot really work hard and then all of a sudden a celebrity pops up as a student and then we all run to vote for him or her. Kwabena Kwabena justcome into the scene.” One female student remarked.
One male student also mentioned:
“If UPSA students should go for him then I think they might be going for the wrong person because there are lots of students that have been very active on campus and then have been helping us since level 100. So why is it now that it’s time for SRC elections and then Kwabena Kwabena from nowhere would just pop up and then be like he’s contesting for SRC president and then we should vote for him. On what basis? What has he done for us? That is the question..”
Another female student shared the same sentiments:
“What has he done? To be honest I didn’t even know he was a student of UPSA, and secondly I wouldn’t go in for someone who just popped out of nowhere saying ‘Oh I’m a student of UPSA and I’m aspiring for this position. So personally I wouldn’t go in for him. I’d rather go in for someone who has actually worked his way through it to gain the position.”
The university’s Electoral Commission has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, and it remains unclear whether Kwabena Kwabena meets the constitutional requirements to contest in the upcoming SRC elections.
As the student body awaits clarity from the administration, the controversy has ignited broader discussions about celebrity involvement in student politics and the integrity of leadership within academic institutions.
Story by: Kelvin B. Annor-Yeboah | universe.ug.edu.gh
Edited by: Kelvin B. Annor-Yeboah
