BY F.C.QUIST-THERSON, PRINCIPAL SECRETARY MINISTRY OF EDUCATION HIGHER EDUCATION DIVISION. 

On Sunday, March 20, at the instance of the Secretary to the National Liberation Council, I investigated by telephone a report about student demonstrations at the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. The following account was given me by Dr.R.P. Baffour, Vice-Chancellor at around 10 a.m. 

In the course of the afternoon of Friday 18th, information reached Dr.Baffour that the students were planning a demonstration against him. He decided to take personal charge of any situation that might develop and remained in his office during Friday/Saturday night. 

At about 4.30 a.m. on Saturday, it was reported to him that some students had marched against his bungalow, and had broken some windows and doors. The demonstrators were estimated at about 70. He called in the Police who arrested some 40 students. Some 14 of these, who resisted being arrested, or were otherwise very violent, are still being held by the Police. 

During Saturday afternoon, March 19, there were further demonstrations by about 120 students, out of a total enrolment of 1,500. On that occasion the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Kumasi, came up himself; had further arrests made; and has been on the campus since in order to stop immediately any further acts of indiscipline and violence which might occur. 

Among allegations made against Dr.Baffour by the students were the following. He was Nkrumah’s stooge, and so must leave the University under the new regime. He was a No.2 tyrant of Ghana, a country in which there is no place now for tyranny. He is a nepotist; he looks after his own interests only, proof of which is provided by his building a new residence for himself at a time when other staff were without satisfactory housing while he already had a very good bungalow. His administration is marked by extravagant expenditure. 

The University was due to close down for the Easter vacation on Wednesday March 23. In view of the incidents described above, Dr.Baffour has decided, after consulting with some senior members of staff, to end the term today and to send away all the students by tomorrow, Monday 21st March. 

Dr.Baffour asked me to arrange for him to report to the National Liberation Council personally by 11 a.m. on Tuesday March 22. He explained that he did not wish to leave the campus before all the students had gone down on Monday. He indicated that he would like an inquiry held into the demonstrations. 

The telephone conversation was not very clear. The report above accordingly represents the best I could make of what passed between Dr.Baffour and myself when we spoke.

20th March, 1966.

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SCR.12/Vol.II/234. 

Ministry of Education 
(Higher Education Division) 
P.0. Box M.28, Accra. 
22nd March, 1966. 

Dear Sir, 

I refer to the telephone conversation between Mr. Quist-Therson and Mr. Ako to of the 21st March which I Hereby confirm as follows:- 

The National Liberation Council directs that the decision of the University of Science and Technology Authorities to close down the University on Monday the 21st must be rescinded, and that classes should continue until Wednesday the 23rd March, the date already fixed as the end of term. Students who wish to stay on for vacation courses should be allowed to do so and all facilities normally provided for work during the holidays be placed at their disposal. 

The message confirmed above was communicated by me to Mr. Akoto, as I could not get in touch by telephone with the Vice-Chancellor or the Pro-Vice-Chancellor or the Registrar. 

Yours sincerely, 

(Sgd.) E.C. QUIST-THERSON 
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY 

THE VICE CHANCELLOR, 
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, KUMASI. 

Copy to:- The Registrar, 
University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.

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COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY INSTRUMENT, 1966 

WHEREAS in the opinion of the N.L.C. it is in the public interest to enquire into the matters hereinafter mentioned: 

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred on the N.L.C. by section of the Commission of Enquiry Act, 1964 (Act 250) this Instrument is made this.. of March, 1966. 

1. There is hereby appointed a Commission consisting of the following members, that is to say- (

(i) Mr. J.S. Manyo-Plange, Retired Judge of the Chana Supreme Court; 

2. The said Mr. J.S. Manyo-Plange shall be the Chairman of the Commission. 
3. The terms of reference of the Commission are:- 

(i) to enquire into the circumstances surrounding the student disturbances which took place at the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, between the 48th and the 20th March, 1966; 

(ii) to investigate the methods adopted in suppressing the disturbances and, in particular, the role played by the Security staff of the University in the said suppression; 

(iii) to enquire into allegations of malpractices and irregularities in the administration of the University by the Vice-Chancellor and by my other senior officers, with reference to provision made in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Act (Aet 80) and any statutes enacted thereunder for the due and proper administration of the University; 

(iv) to investigate whether any funds or assets of the University have been improperly diverted by any senior member of the University to himself or for his benefit;

(v) to enquire into any other matters which in the opinion of the Commission ought in the public interest to be investigated in connection with the said student disturbances and alleged malpractices and irregularities; and 

(vi) to report to the N.L.C. their conclusions arising out of the foregoing, making such recommendations to the Council as the Commission may think fit. 

4. The Commission shall, in reporting its conclusions, embody in the report a full statement of the reasons which have led it to those conclusions. 
5. G.N. Nutsugah, Esquire, Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Trade, shall be Secretary to the Commission. 
6. The Commissioner of Police shall detail police officers to attend upon the Commissioners of the Commission, to preserve order during the proceedings of the Commission, to serve summons on witnesses and to perform such other functions relating to the Commission as the Commissioners may direct. 

(Sgd.)………. 

CHAIRMAN OF THE N.L.C.