4th November, 1968

The Commissioner for Education

Through

The Principal Secretary,

Higher Education Division,

Min. of Education,

P.0. Box M.28,

Accra.

Dear Mr. Commissioner,

Student Unrest

The causes of recent students demonstration and disturbances at Legon would appear to go far beyond the apparently immediate, particularly having regard to the sympathy and solidarity shown by Kumasi students (and perhaps also those at Cape Coast).

I attach a short report on events as they occurred here together with copies of relevant correspondence.

In view of the seriousness of the situation I would propose that an urgent meeting of Heads of University Institutions should be called under the Chairmanship of the Commissioner for Education with a view to determining future course of action.

Yours sincerely,

Signed

(E. Evans-Anfom)

VICE-CHANCELLOR

A SHORT REPORT ON SHOW OF SOLIDARITY BY STUDENTS UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, KUMASI

Tuesday, 22nd October, 1968

The Acting President of the Students’ Representative Council informed me that the students of the University had decided to boycott lectures with effect from the following day as a show of solidarity in support of their colleagues at Legon. The reasons for this action were:

a)An alleged excessive use of force by the Police in dealing with a demonstration by the Legon students.

1. b) The harsh penalty imposed on five students of the University of Ghana, Legon, for offences which seemed relatively trivial.

I pointed out that since they were not in full possession of the facts it might be better for them to wait before doing anything. But it appeared that the students were prepared to express their disapproval of the fact that the Police were called in at all. I obtained an assurance from him that any action taken would be peaceful. Meanwhile, the Registrar met the Acting President of the S.R.C. and had a discussion in an attempt to dissuade the students from acting precipitately, but nothing came out of this. I requested the President of the S.R.C. to meet me at my office at 8 o’clock the following day. 

The Registrar informed me that he had given permission for a delegation of the Students’ Representative Council to go on a fact finding mission to Legon the following day.

Wednesday, 23rd October

8.00 a.m.

The Acting President of the Students’ Representative Council with another member called at my office. I impressed I impressed upon them the undesirability of prolonging the boycott beyond one day, since this was intended to be only a gesture of solidarity and not a demonstration against any issue on the campus. I also emphasised the need for non-violence, and pointed out that if the boycott was prolonged unduly some students might wish to attend lectures and any attempt on the part of other students to restrain them might lead to violence. In that event I would not sit idly by and watch the rights and freedom of anybody on the campus interfered with. I requested a meeting with all the members of the Students’ Representative Council.

8.30 a.m.

Two members of the Special Branch called at my office to enquire what was happening. I briefed them on the situation and told them that the students had assured me that everything would be peaceful and that I had no reason to doubt this. I emphasised that it would be most unwise to send any Policemen, uniformed or otherwise, anywhere near the University that day, unless, of course, there was violence and I was obliged to seek help.

On my instructions the Registrar sent out a circular informing Deans and Heads of Departments of the students’ decision to boycott lectures.

10.30 a.m. – Full Meeting with the S.R.C.

At this meeting I elaborated on all the points already raised with the two leaders and pointed out that they (the S.R.C. members) had been elected by their colleagues presumably for their qualities of leadership and that the time to display this quality was “NOW”. After about an hour’s frank and cordial discussion, the S.R.C. agreed that it would be unwise to prolong the boycott of lectures beyond one day, but insisted that they would continue the fight in other ways in support of their colleagues at Legon.

1.00 p.m.

I received a copy of the resolution passed at the meeting of the previous night. (see attached, marked “A”).

3.30 p.m.

I received a letter from the Acting President assuring me that they had no complaints against the University of Science and Technology Administration and that their action was purely in sympathy with their colleagues in Legon. (Copy attached,marked “B”)

10.00 p.m.

I was informed by the Acting President, Students’ Representative Council, that the students had decided to go back to lectures the following day. I was informed that in spite of the boycott the final year students in Engineering attended lectures.

Thursday, 24th October, 1968

I received a telephone call from the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana informing me of the interview he had with the students’ delegate from Kumasi the previous day and recording his appreciation of the courtesy displayed by the Kumasi students. The following day I sent a letter to the Acting President of the S.R.C. asking him to congratulate the delegates of being such worthy ambassadors. In his reply acknowledging this letter he stated that the S.R.C. was studying the reports they have received on the events of Legon and they would prepare a report on these for my information.

Meanwhile everything remains calm on the campus.

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