Students of Tamale Technical University (TaTU) staged a protest on Tuesday, 16th September, demanding urgent improvements in campus welfare and infrastructure, as well as transparency regarding fees paid over the years.
The protest, which took place on campus grounds and surrounding streets, was driven by growing frustration over what students describe as years of neglect by university management.
At the heart of their concerns is the lack of visible development despite the regular payment of a “developmental levy” included in student fees.
Addressing the crowd, Mahamudu Musah, Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), accused the university’s leadership of failing its students.
“We are hitting the street to demand accountability and developmental projects from management,” Musah stated.
“Over the years, students have paid their fees, and if you look at the fee structure, there is a component called the developmental levy. Students have paid this for years, but there hasn’t been a single project on this campus championed by management.”
In addition to the lack of infrastructure, students raised serious concerns over worsening sanitation, describing the situation as both unacceptable and hazardous.
“Sanitation is a challenge that students face. Open defecation is at an alarming rate,” said one protester. “As we speak, there is no proper washroom for students, and now many are forced to use the bush. Sometimes, lecturers are compelled to close classes early because the stench from nearby washrooms is unbearable. Why must we go through this as a university?”
Though the demonstration began peacefully, tensions later escalated, resulting in minor injuries. According to eyewitnesses, three students were hurt, two sustaining head injuries and one with a leg injury.
