Students of Tamale Technical University (TaTU) staged a massive protest on Tuesday, demanding urgent improvements in campus infrastructure, welfare services, and transparency regarding student fees.
The demonstration, which began peacefully on the university campus and extended to surrounding streets, was fueled by years of frustration over what students describe as neglect by university management.
Students Demand Accountability Over Development Levy
At the centre of the protest is the “developmental levy” included in student fees. According to students, despite paying the levy for years, there has been no visible developmental project initiated by management.
Speaking during the protest, Mahamudu Musah, Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), accused the university’s leadership of failing to account for the funds.
“We are hitting the street to demand accountability and developmental projects from management. Over the years, students have paid fees with a component called the developmental levy, yet not a single project has been championed by management,” Musah said.
Sanitation Crisis on Campus
Beyond infrastructure concerns, students also raised serious alarm over poor sanitation conditions on campus, describing the situation as both hazardous and unacceptable.
One protester lamented:
“Sanitation is a major challenge here. Open defecation is at an alarming rate. There are no proper washrooms for students, forcing many to use the bush. Sometimes lecturers even close classes early because the stench from nearby washrooms is unbearable. Why must we go through this as university students?”
Escalation and Injuries
Although the protest started peacefully, tensions later escalated, resulting in minor injuries to three students. Eyewitnesses confirmed that two students sustained head injuries while another suffered a leg injury.
Broader Concerns Over Campus Welfare
The protest highlights longstanding issues of inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation, and lack of accountability in Ghana’s tertiary institutions. Students are demanding urgent reforms to improve learning conditions and ensure that levies and fees paid are used transparently for campus development.
