In a dramatic show of disciplinary force, the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) on Wednesday sent several students packing from campus for what officials described as indecent dressing, reigniting debate over student freedom and the limits of institutional control.
A campus task force, acting on what appears to be fresh instructions from university management, stormed lecture halls and checkpoints, ejecting students whose outfits were deemed inappropriate by the institution’s yet-to-be-clearly-defined standards.
“They told us to leave and change before returning. Some people were even stopped at the gate,” recounted one affected student, speaking to Myjoyonline.com under anonymity. “They didn’t warn us — they just acted.”
The enforcement reportedly caught many students by surprise, with several forced to miss lectures and return to their hostels or homes to avoid confrontation.
Although UPSA has long maintained that it is a professional university with a corporate culture, students argue that the interpretation of “indecent dressing” remains vague and inconsistent, often left to the discretion of security or task force members.
“You can’t punish people based on moral impressions. Where is the line?” asked a business administration student.
“What one lecturer calls decent, another calls provocative.”
In recent years, UPSA has banned miniskirts, sagging trousers, ripped jeans, and bathroom slippers, among other fashion choices. But Wednesday’s incident marks the first aggressive on-the-ground enforcement of these rules in the 2025 academic year.
As of press time, UPSA authorities had not released an official statement, further fuelling tension and confusion among students and parents.
The Student Representative Council (SRC) is reportedly in talks with management, with insiders suggesting that a policy clarification or dress code review may be on the table.
Meanwhile, the incident has sparked outrage on social media, where students and alumni clashed over whether the university is instilling professionalism or resorting to moral policing.
UPSA has previously faced criticism for being “too conservative”, especially when compared to other major universities in Ghana. However, supporters of the crackdown argue that professional grooming must start from the classroom.
“You’re not in a nightclub. This is a university that prepares people for boardrooms,” wrote one alumnus on X (formerly Twitter).
For now, students are being warned: show up in a banned outfit, and you’re not getting past the front gate.
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