At least three students of Tamale Technical University (TaTU) were injured on Tuesday when a protest against rising fees and deteriorating campus conditions descended into violent clashes with security forces.
The demonstration, which began peacefully on the university’s main campus, escalated after students attempted to block access roads. Security personnel moved in to disperse the protesters, sparking a confrontation that left two students with head injuries and another with a leg injury. The injured were rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
Central to the students’ frustration are persistent fee hikes and the collection of a “developmental levy”, which they say has yielded no visible improvements on campus.
Mahamudu Musah, Public Relations Officer of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), accused management of failing to account for the funds.
“We are hitting the street to demand accountability and developmental projects from management,” Musah declared. “Over the years, students have paid their fees, including a developmental levy, but there hasn’t been a single project on this campus initiated by management.”
Beyond financial concerns, protesters highlighted worsening sanitary conditions on campus. Many complained about a lack of functioning washrooms, forcing students to resort to unsafe alternatives, including open defecation.
“Sanitation is a challenge that students face. “Open defecation is at an alarming rate,” one protester said. “Lecturers sometimes have to close classes early because of the stench from nearby washrooms. This is unacceptable in a tertiary institution.”
The demonstration turned violent when students blocked access roads, prompting a standoff with security officers. Witnesses reported that some students were beaten while others fell in the chaos.
Despite the injuries, protest leaders vowed to sustain pressure on the university’s administration until transparency and tangible improvements are delivered.
Students are now calling on the Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities to intervene, warning that tensions could worsen if their demands remain unmet.
“We will not stop until there is transparency and real development on our campus,” a protest leader warned.
University management has not yet issued an official statement regarding the protest and the injuries sustained.
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