I was astounded to hear a student from the University of Ghana issuing threats to Ghana’s president, during a news report on Peace FM, a few days ago. Not being ashamed that he speaks in that excruciating Ghanaian English that so many of the semi-literates our universities now churn out, speak, that young "3-D buffoon" also went on to issue threats to the authorities of the institution seeking to educate him – because they had decided to turn Commonwealth Hall, currently a male-only hall of residence, into a hall of residence for post-graduate students of both sexes. Do those arrogant young people (many of whom can hardly string a decent sentence in English together, sadly) not realize that they are free to leave the University of Ghana for a tertiary institution more to their liking – if they do not like the new arrangements being made by the university’s authorities for Commonwealth Hall?
It is appears that the sense of entitlement that so many of our educated elite have, has even permeated our tertiary institutions. Do students in tertiary institutions in Ghana not realize that they are privileged to be attending the universities they are currently enrolled in? Do they think that undergraduate students in Princeton University; Harvard University; or any of the colleges in Oxford University; would dare question any arrangements their universities’ authorities had made concerning halls of residence in those world-famous institutions? What impudence.
The authorities of the University of Ghana must be firm – and stick to their decision to turn Commonwealth Hall into a hall of residence for post-graduate students of both sexes. It is time they made all students on the campus of the University of Ghana sign an undertaking to obey all the regulations and decisions of the university.Who wants leaders who are not disciplined, well-mannered, and thoughtful individuals, I ask, dear reader? Above all, those in charge of our premiere university must not tolerate uncouth behaviour by any student on the campus – because they are being trained at great cost to the taxpayers of Ghana to become the future leaders of our country. A word to the wise…
Tel (powered by Tigo – the one mobile phone network in Ghana that actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109 & the not-so-hot and clueless Vodafone wireless smartfone: + 233 (0) 30 2976238.
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Would students from foreign universities question, ask questions and ask for involvement in the decisions affecting their education?
Of course.
Foreign students are much more active in the decisions made by the institutions in which they study, more vocal and....listened to and their opinions respected.
They would not tolerate for one minute anything perceived as a worsening of their living conditions. They are also not victimised if they speak out and there are proper systems put into place for complaints and appeals.
In Europe and the USA, student activism is seen as a positive attribute recognising that the skills developed created leaders. This can sometimes result in pickets of the university, demonstrations, sit-ins where the students would lock out the staff and take over the classrooms and so on. These qualities, the ability to show independent thought, act independently, challenge the status-quo and to exercise youthful, ‘revolutionary’ energy can be annoying and frustrating but people understand that this is what the youth do. Not only that, but this is what the youth should do; they need to explore and experiment with ideas and ideologies. It is these early engagements with the world, justice, rights, organising that foreign schools and universities recognise as valuable experiences in the development of active, creative minds.
Long live impudence!
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