The Vice-Chancellor, 
University of Ghana, 
Legon

Thro’ The Vice-Chancellor 
University of Cape Coast, 
Cape Coast. 

Dear Sir, 

In the matter of the Fifteen (15) Dismissed Students from University of Ghana. 

PROTEST NOTE 

We students of University of Cape Coast on the 8th day of February 1977, condemn in unreserved terms, the high-handed vindictive action meted out to the 15 students of Legon allegedly involved in the 8th December disturbances – it has always been the avowed wish of students in our three Universities to ensure peaceful co-existence with University authorities. This philosophy is reflected in the month long negotiations entered into by student leaders with the Legon authorities. 

Our protest stems from the following considerations: 

(1) That the dismissal of Mr. Amoak Afoko an accredited student leader is a calculated attempt on the part of the University authorities to clamp down student leadership and instill fear in future leaders. We fail to understand why the student should be punished for playing his role as a student leader(Interim SRC President) We wish to draw attention to the fact that whatever role Mr. Afoko played in the 8th December incident was played in his capacity as the SRC President and not as an interested party in the circumstances leading to the incident. We also wish to seriously register our deepest disapproval and condemnation of a new development in University Administration of late, namely the inhumane practice of black-listing student leaders who during their tenure of office did not give themselves up as stooges of University authorities and later using examinations and other occasions to victimise such students. 

(2) That the University authorities have demonstrated the extent to which subjective tendencies can influence their decisions. We are convinced this was the case with Messrs: K.O.D.K. Yirenkyi and K. Ossei-Mensah who had not been proved to be associated with the Disturbances but rather have been dismissed for being known to be vocal and dynamic in fighting for students’ rights. We refer specifically to their instrumentality in seeing the imple- mentation of the T.A.Y.E. system through. 

(3) That the Committee’s display of incompetency and callousness is seen in the recommendation made for the dismissal of a student of the Kumasi University of Science and Technology and another Legonite on Study-Leave who to begin with, does not qualify for the loan and was not on campus on the day of the disturbances. We have no doubt therefore that the whole findings of the committee is hollow and could not be justifiably relied on for the dispensation of justice. Our conviction lies on merits of objectivism and not subjectivity. It is clear to us that the whole exercise of the University authorities is a bid to force students into an unwilling submission on one hand and to present students to the public to be criticised and questioned. However student insulation against repressive and subjugative laws would always persist. 

The indignity and inglorious nature of the treatment of the issue go a long way to undermine the “Moralist principles” you profess to uphold. 

The refusal to heed to several of the petitions made has in itself publicised the bid to show where power lies. Students shall remain the last bastion of every true revolution. Our power is indestructible but explosive and noxious if tempered with. No power, however invincible, would be capable of suppressing the ONENESS in our ranks. The situation as it is now could lead to an indescribable social struggle in our time with insoluble and dire consequences. 

In the interest of justice and fair play therefore we call on the University authorities to recall all the affected students into residence without further delay. 

Yours faithfully, 

(YAW OWUSU-AKYEW NIMO) 
PRESIDENT 

(E.K. LAMPTEY) 
SECRETARY

(BOATEMAA OSSIE J.) 
TREASURER

Referenced 1976 student disturbance can be found here

Read 1971 letter from the University Council here
Read 1971 letter from the S.R.C. here
Read 1976  solidarity letter from U.G.  S.R.C.  here
Read 1971 letter from Legon hall to the S.R.C. here

Other Student Protests
Read about the 1968 UG students demonstrations here
Read about the 1968 demonstrations at KNUST here
Read about  the 1967 demonstrations at KNUST here