A law lecturer at the University of Ghana, Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua has backed the decision by some students to embark on a demonstration to register their displeasure over some happenings in the institution.

According to him, the school had no right to insist that students apply and obtain approval from the Dean of Student Affairs before going on a demonstration on or off campus.

To him, the school’s position was bad law and should be treated with the contempt it was treated with by the students.

Expressing this position in a social media post, he said “For a long while student unions – SRCs, GRASSAGs, NUGS, etc — have remained dormant and inactive through capture, coercion, intimidation, infiltration and co-optation by university management, the state and other powerful actors.

I am glad to know that some concerned students at the University of Ghana have decided to break rank from their representative bodies to do what the leadership they entrusted power to them to do on their behalf have failed, refused or shown unwillingness to do.

Through this lawful defiance to organise a demonstration to complain about some appalling conditions on university campuses relating to housing in particular but which extends to other matters such as high fees, some undemocratic practices and violations of their academic freedom, these students are speaking truth to power in a civil and organised practice of their right to peaceful assembly.

UG’s position asking students to apply and obtain approval from the Dean of Student Affairs before going on demonstration in or outside the campus is bad law and I applaud the concerned students for choosing to go to the police.

And I wish to express my appreciation to Ghana Police, Legon, for providing support for them to demonstrate peacefully on campus.”