UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON 

Cablegram: 
“Students” Legon
Telephone:
Accra 75381 Ext…. 
14th April, 1971

Chairman Harry Falconer
Secretary Victor Okoh Jr.
Treasurer Kate Addo-Yobo.

Ref.No.SRC.14/71/16 

Mr. E.A.K. Edzii, 
Registrar, 
University of Ghana, Legon. 
Dear Sir, 

The attention of the S.R.C. Executive has been drawn to letters dated 2nd April, 1971 sent from your office to respective student representatives at various meetings with either the Vice-Chancellor, the Chairman of the University Council or with both. 

We have had occasion to protest against the way minutes are often distorted to suit the point of view of the Authorities. Unfortunately this is becoming too much and must be discouraged. 

However, we are taking this opportunity to correct once more some mis representations in the letter.

 (i) It should be pointed out that at the noon meeting with the Vice-Chancellor on the 13th March the SRC had nothing to conceal from him as to make us give a false undertaking. 

(ii) The only assurance (or undertaking) we gave was to the effect that we would try to ensure that the students walked out of the Tower Square whenever, as student leaders, we found the probability of the student-body behaving in such a manner as may lead to a disruption of the Congregation. This was to Save the Congregation. 

(iii) On the 15th of March the SRC did not (repeat NOT) assure the Chairman of the University Council that it would render an unqualified apology to the University Council before the meeting of the 17th of March. 

We categorically told the Chairman that the question of an apology, qualified or otherwise, was not going to be a precondition for the meeting with him on the 17th of March, 1971. 

(iv) The SRC mentioned at the meeting on the 17th of March that it was not convinced of the propriety for the suggested apology. The SRC, as represented at the meeting therefore, undertook to consult the student-body on the issue – and this it was unable to do before the Easter vacation due to circumstances outside its control. The SRC, will, however, inform the University Council on this early this term after consultation with the student-body. 

We would want to point out that the members of the student delegations represented no respective personal interests of their own other than the interests of the Student Representative Council whos only parent/guardian is the student-body. Thus, the Executive of the SRC deem it unfortunate that the University should reduce the whole issue to such personal levels as to write personal letters to the SRC’s bona fide representatives to the respective meetings and send copies of those letters to the parents/guardians of these representatives.

From the  tone of the letters, it appears our delegates to these negotiations are being blackmailed by veiled threats such as “in (their) own interest…..” This we consider unfortunate because they had no mandate to represent their own interests. We therefore, strongly advise the withdrawal of those (personal) letters and recommend that apologies be rendered to the respective students and all concerned. 

You may inform the University Council accordingly. 

Yours sincerely, 

(Sgd.) Harry Falconer 
PRESIDENT