WA UDS STUDENTS THREATEN DEMONSTRATION BACK PAGE, JAN 24)

STUDENTS of the Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) have threatened to embark on a peaceful demonstration to protest the suspension of Mr Alphonse Naab.
Mr Naab is the President of the Central Students Representative Council (SRC), and he was on November 28, 2008, suspended by a letter issued by the acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sagary Nokoe.
The letter cited the use of abusive language by Mr Naab. As one of the reasons given for his suspension, it was said that he granted unauthorised radio interviews, which tarnished the image of the university.
Following the suspension, some student leaders have called for the total boycott of lectures on Monday, January 26, 2009, in solidarity with the SRC president, after which there would be a peaceful demonstration through the principal streets of Wa, and then a petition presented through the Regional Co-ordinating Council to President J.E.A. Mills.
To avert the intended action, the management of the Faculty of Integrated Studies (FIDS), Wa Campus, has started meeting students at all levels, urging them to exercise restraint.
At a meeting with students in level 300, management of the faculty, led by Professor Abraham Beriyuu, tried to explain to students the consequence of their intended action.
He said the suspension of Mr Naab was not meant to be a punitive measure, but rather a corrective one.
"Nobody has any malice in the issue. The issue has currently taken a legal dimension," he told the students.
He warned the students of the consequences, but the students, in response, shouted: "We are ready."
For his part, the Dean of the Faculty of Planning, Dr Francis Bacho, who tried calming the students, reiterated efforts made by the management of the faculty to explain issues pertaining to the suspension of the SRC president to the hierarchy of the SRC, but things did not work out as expected.
He attributed the current situation on campus to an information lapse.
"Based on what I have heard, the right information is not being told the students. The SRC president has not been sacked, but suspended," he added.
Dr Bacho advised the students body to verify from university authorities whenever they were not sure of any issue.
The Deputy Upper West Regional Police Commander, ACP Augustine Gyening, pleaded with the students to reconsider their position.