University of Ghana decision to displace 5,000 students

Accra, May 9, GNA - The decision by the University of Ghana to convert the Commonwealth Hall of the University into a mixed gender graduate hall would result in the displacement of about 5000.

Mr. Joshua Laari, President of the Junior Common Room (JCR) of the Commonwealth Hall, made the observation at a crisis meeting, organised by Old Vandals Association, the alumni of the Commonwealth Hall, at the University campus on Sunday.

He expressed worry that any such decision would worsen the accommodation problem at the university and lamented that not all parents could secure accommodation for the children at expensive hostels. Mr. Laari said that the Commonwealth Hall would not allow the authorities to enforce the decision since it was ostensibly to divert public attention from problems of the university.

He said that Commonwealth Hall was pleased with the support it had received from the old vandals.

Mr Laari called on other people who share the philosophy of the Hall to join in the campaign against efforts to change the status of the Hall. He explained that "Vandalism" was aimed at fighting policies and decisions that were not favourable to students and oppression on the campus and not the manifestation of negative activities as was being portrayed by the University authorities.

Mr. Laari said that the conversion of the Hall would affect the University since the Commonwealth was the mouthpiece of students of the educational institution. The meeting is to be followe d by a press conference on Monday where the Old Vandals would state their position on the matter. 9 May 10