Minister pre-empts riot at Tamale polytechnic

Tamale, May 23, GNA - Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister, on Friday pre-empted a demonstration by students of the Tamale Polytechnic. The students had intended to demonstrate for the release of their examination papers that had been withheld by some lecturers whose appointment had been terminated by the school authorities for improper conduct. Some months ago some lecturers of the Tamale Polytechnic were dismissed for allegedly having sexual relations with female students and gave them high marks.

The students also wanted to demonstrate against the acute water shortage the school has been facing and the dusty nature of the road leading to the main entrance of the institution. Alhaji Idris, in the company of members of the Regional Security Committee (REGSEC), visited the school to interact with the school authorities and the students to reduce tension and caution them against taking the law into their hands.

The Regional Minister said the REGSEC had received reports of the intended demonstration and the intention of some "elements" in the society to infiltrate the ranks of the student body to cause confusion. Alhaji Idris explained that he had intervened to ensure that students remained calm while the authorities find ways to resolve their grievances and not to meddle in the internal administration of the polytechnic.

He appealed to the students to use the appropriate channels to resolve their grievances and to continue to dialogue with the school authorities for an amicable solution of their problems. Mr. Daniel Agyei Sarpong, a student who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said the students would no longer embark on any demonstration but appealed to the school authorities to see to the speedy resolution of their problems to ensure peace and calm.