The Spokesperson of the John Mahama Campaign Team, James Agyenim Boateng, says the violence that ensued at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is an “underlying frustration” of Ghanaians caused by the government.
In a statement issued on Monday’s destruction of property by demonstrating students, Mr Agyenim Boateng noted that it is a reflection of the “intolerance” and “impunity” that have characterized the Akufo-Addo-led government.
“The events at KNUST show a deeper underlying frustration of the pent-up feelings of not just students but also the larger Ghanaian public,” he stated.
“It is a reflection of the intolerance and impunity that have characterised governance under the present administration. Again, the general hardship unleashed by the policies of the Akufo-Addo government continues to build resentment among many sections of Ghanaians.”
He cited the recent hikes in petroleum prices, job losses, and the general hardship as having “all brought about economic pressure on parents and guardians as well as students”.
The statement predicted that other agitated groups may take a cue from the students’ action if government does not implement measures to “help alleviate the suffering that families are facing so that labour and other key stakeholder groups”.
On the specific issue at KNUST, Mr Agyenin Boateng asked for deep engagements between the student leaders and authorities for “a speedy resolution of the issues and a quick return to normalcy on the campus”.
Akufo-Addo’s stony silence
The campaign team of John Mahama chided the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for his “stony silence” on happenings at the university.
“For a President who has been quick to comment on seemingly irrelevant and innocuous happenings in the country and beyond, it is telling that he has kept a deafening silence on this serious matter.”
The team was also concerned about the lack of foresight on the part of the Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary Education for taking no action when the signals of an implosion were clear.
“Instead of the minister in charge of tertiary education moderating the then looming tensions, he hailed as a bold step the very issues that the students were unhappy about.
“A timely response from the government would have averted Monday’s unfortunate incident.”
Source: 3news.com
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Agyenim Boateng is one of the reasons the NDC wont come back to power. I expect better introspection and intelligent press releases. DOnt just jump at any opportunity to bash the president. It is very nauseating to some of us floating voters. Petty politics making you spew such gibberish.
IT SAD THAT GHANAIANS ARE AFRAID TO CONDEMN THIS PRIMITIVEEEEE AND BARBARICCCC ACT OF KNUST STUDENTS. HISTORY TESTIFIES THAT DEMONSTRATORS WITH GENUINE CONCERNS DO NOT RESULT TO BRUTEEEE AND VIOLENCE TO ADDRESS THEIR GRIEVANCES. YES, PEEOPLE IN DEMOCRATIC DISPENSATION EMBARK ON DEMONSTRATION BUT NOT EXPECTED TO BECOME SENSEELEESSSS AND VIOLENT LIKE KNUST STUDENT. SRC OF KNUST IS A FAILED LEADERSHIP AND MUST BE PUNISHED FOR SUCH UNNECESSARY DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. I AM EXPECTING NUGS TO COME OUT MATURES AND TO CONDEMN SUCH UNCIVILISEEDD BEHAVIOUR AND NOT TO CONDONE IT. WHAT LEGACY ARE WE LEAVING TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION. THE BEHAVIOUR OF KNUST STUDENT IS SO BAD THAT IT DOES NOT BEFIT SECONDARY OR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT. I EXPECT CIVIL SOCIETY, RELIGIOUS BODIES, AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES TO CONDEMN THIS UNRULYYYY BEHAVIOUR OF KNUST STUDENT IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS IMMEDIATELY. MANY OF KNUST STUDENT HAD JOIN THE DEMONSTRATION BUT HAD NOT DESIRED TO BE DESTRUCTIVE AND SENSELESSS. I EXPECT THE RIGHTTTT MINDED STUDENT TO HELP ANY INVESTIGATION BODY TO BE SET UP TO FISH OUT THE PERPERTRATORS OF THE VIOLENCE TO BE PUNISHED. THE CRIME COMMITTED FOR DESTROYING PROPERTIES MUST BE PAID FOR BY THE STUDENT. IT IS SHAMEFUL TO GHANA FOR PRODUCING SUCH INDISCIPLINE BUNCH OF PEOPLE FOR THE FUTURE GENERATION. UNIVERSITY STUDENTS SHOULD BECOME THINKERS AND CREATIVE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND NOT BRUTEE. ALL SHOULD CONDEMN THIS SHAMEFUL ACTION.
I am sure these confused NDC guys will blame NPP for the 2 guys who died in car accident following John Ford campaign..... Fuulishhh NDC guys.....
USE-LE-SS STATEMENT.
A SINKING PERSON WOULD EVEN CLIFF ON TO A STRAW TO SURVIVE. NDC GROW UP. THESE COMMENTS ARE TOO CHILDISH. STILL WAITING FOR A STATEMENT ON THE SSNIT SOFTWARE.
This was the kind of communication the likes of Agyenin Boateng did and landed us in opposition. President Mahama, please, please, please do away with this guy immediately before we are defeated again in 2010.
I would have been greatly disappointed if this too had not been blamed on Nana Addo. If Mr Agyenim Boateng wants to talk about simmering anger and frustration of the Ghanaian people,he and his master ought to get on their knees and pray to God that the good people of this country do not hold them to account for all the millions of dollars they have s-t-0-len from the treasury.Things are difficult now because of all the debts and an empty kitty that they left.Mr Mahama should be thankful to God that we are all law abiding .At least we should be allowed to tar and feather them.Bloody th1-e-ves.
This is total desperation in MAHAMA'S camp. Holding on to any straw
oooh am also Agyenim Boateng oo. we talk maturely and think fast. am sorry for james.
A f00**l speaking for an 1diot flag bearer contender. Gh is sick!