I have been compelled to comment on the contents of the resolution dated 1st July 1979, which was
presented through the Commanding officer in charge of the 4th Battalion (Kumasi) to the Armed
Forces Revolutionary Council by some students of the University of Science and Technology. Since the
said resolution was presented, some students of the other two Universities have demonstrated and
expressed similar sentiments contained in the resolution referred to.

It is my wish to point out to the Students that they have a right to voice out their opinions on National Issues, but other CITIZENS also reserve the right to speak their minds. Nobody has appointed Students as the SOLE spokesman of the will of the people of Ghana. Therefore, it is wrong for Students to attack those who disagree with them as “reactionary”.

I am particularly disturbed by the second demand in the Student’s Resolution that the AFRC should

 ‘Take firm and decisive revolutionary action against local reactionary forces like the Ghana Bar
Association, the Christian Council, the Catholic Secretariat, the so-called non-political pressure groups defending only the propertied people”. What offence have these people committed to merit “revolutionary action” being taken against them.

What revolutionary action were the the Students prescribing? These very Bodies have been vocal on National Issues, condemning oppression of Political Opponents under the Acheampong Regime. They fought for the release of people who were unjustifiably detained; visited Political Prisoners; through their mediatory role, got Nurses to call off their strike on humanitarian grounds to save the dying. Even Students hailed the “Catholic Standard” which speaks the mind of the Catholic Church, as the only “objective” paper at that time.

Since when, then, did these very bodies become “reactionary?” The Students’ argument that “penal labour is hardly an encouragement to our farmers and labourers” is most illogical. Nobody is claiming that there is no DIGNITY in farming or in being a labourer.

When the the Courts sentence criminals to prison to prison with hard labour, some of the prisoners are
made to farm or chop wood or make furniture or work in public gardens. Yet no one has suggested that farmers. carpenters and labourers were being insulted by such punishment.

Penal labour on farms etc. is being suggested to make economic saboteurs taste the life of the common man. When he has tasted the reality of the common man’s the saboteur would situation, realise why it is wrong to recklessly dissipate the wealth produced by the sweat and toil of the farmer and labourer.

Perhaps the call for the immediate removal of the Acting Editor of “Graphic” was the most nauseating demand by the  Students. We have been accusing the State-owned media of sycophancy; of hailing every
Government measure whether good or bad. Therefore, if for once, we have a bold and fearless Editor who
would speak her mind even if it is displeasing to the Government, shall we call for her dismissal? How
shall we ensure Press Freedom?

In my opinion, the Editorship of Miss Elizabeth Ohene marks a new era of balanced, well-reasoned, bold and fearless Editorials for the “Graphic.” She deserves my congratulations!

Our Students have shown intolerance, irrationality, inexperience and immaturity in their resolution.

Sylvester Allotey,
Kumasi.