Tension Brewing Between UG, National Security Over Security Post

There seems to be growing tension between the University of Ghana authorities and the National Security over the re-construction of a structure at the Okponglo entrance of the university. The structure, according to the school, is to serve as a security post but not the widely reported toll booth. The National Security in an earlier statement called for a suspension of the project and demanded an impact assessment report of the structure from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or a complete relocation of the project. But the University has denied receiving such a directive from National Security to stop the re-construction of the security post. The Director of Public Affairs of the University of Ghana, Stella Amoah has denied allegations that the structure being re-constructed at its Okponglo entrance is a toll booth. She also dismissed claims that the structure poses security risk to the general public. Find below, the statements from both the University of Ghana and the National NEWS RELEASE Authorities of the University of Ghana met with personnel of the office of the National Security Coordinator to discuss a construction at the Okponglo entrance to the University last Friday, May 30, 2014. In response to concerns expressed by the security officials, the University officials explained that the structure under construction was a security observation post that was part of a larger entrance facility. The meeting ended with a request from the security officials for the University to allay the fears of sections of the public with more publicity. At no time did the security officials direct the University to stop work on the structure. No such directive has been received subsequently. Any press reports that suggest that the University has been directed to stop the construction are false. The University believes that having a security post at its main entrance is lawful and a standard practice at universities around the world. The University would like to restate that the structure is not for collecting tolls and poses no security risk whatsoever. Stella A. (Mrs.) Director of Public Affairs University of Ghana May 31, 2014 Below is the National Security statement Officials of National Security and Motor Transport and Traffic Department of Ghana Police Service met representatives of University of Ghana on Friday, 30th May, 2014 to discuss issues relating to reconstruction of a structure, [LEGON Toll Booth] at OKPONGLO entrance of the University of Ghana, LEGON. 1. The structure was earlier removed because of the nuisance it caused to users of the TETTEH QUARSHIE- ADENTA-ABURI Highway. 2. The meeting heard explanations from the University that the new structure under construction is now a Security Observation Post/Security Check Point and no longer a Toll Booth and that it will not have any adverse effect on human and vehicular traffic on the main TETTEH QUARSHIE-ADENTA-ABURI Highway. 3. In view of the strain on traffic on the Highway caused by the previous structure on the same location which was demolished, the security team directed that the University authorities request for a social impact assessment from the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] for further action or relocate the structure further inland to rule out the possibility of spillover onto the Highway. 4. The security team also directed the University to put on hold the on-going construction work until the impact assessment report is obtained or the project is relocated. 5. The public is assured that the TETTEH QUARSHIE-ADENTA-ABURI Highway will remain open to traffic as always.