UG students march against new residential policy

Accra, April 19, GNA - Students of the University of Ghana on Thursday staged a demonstration to protest against the University's new residential policy, which gives official accommodation to only first year students.

Signs of a possible march by the students were visible early in the morning when scores of policemen were seen at the Castle Junction and on the street leading to President John Agyekum Kufuor's house on the main Accra-Legon road.

The students, who were staging the second protest in one week, want the University authorities to halt the new policy called "in-out-out-out".

The authorities say the new residential policy, which replaces the present "in-out-out-in" policy is necessary because of pressure on them for residential accommodation.

The students wearing red dresses or red bands presented their petition to the Ministry of Education, saying they wanted a decision by April 25 or they would boycott the second semester examinations. One of the students told GNA that they then marched towards the Castle where their leaders presented their petition to the authorities. He said there was misunderstanding between them and the police and they were chased away from the Castle Junction.