The University Relations Officer (URO) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Mr Vincent Ankamah Lomotey, has indicated that authorities will deal with the age-old rivalry between the school’s Unity and University residential Halls.

The two all-male halls of the institution have been involved in a battle for supremacy for decades. The latest rivalry on Monday February 15 resulted in two students getting stabbed and 18 others getting injured.

Responding to a question by Luv FM’s Erastus Donkor whether the university will consider taking an action to address the rivalry, Mr Lomotey answered in the affirmative indicating that “this has been running far too long and I think it is about time that some drastic action is taken”.

Mr Lomotey nonetheless said the school cannot confirm that the latest violence was in connection to the age-old rivalry. He, however, said the fact that the student, who was attacked, was a resident of Unity Hall, and the attackers are residents of University Hall, “then perhaps people will try to link it to that kind of rivalry.”

He explained that the account of the police indicates that a student affiliated to the Unity Hall was attacked by students from the University Hall and was stabbed in the back around the Great Hall. Some of his friends rescued him and was taken to the hospital. Later on, another student affiliated to the University Hall was attacked by students from Unity Hall around the Students Representative Council (SRC) Hostel area and he got some cuts on his palm.

Both are on admission at the KNUST hospital.

Mr Lomotey said authorities have met with leaders of the two halls and the culprits will be dealt with as the police handle the case.

“We are taking it seriously, the VC has met with the two halls, cautioned them and asked them to bring the names of those involved”.