Court Injunction On Residential Policy: UG Ready To Defend University In Court

Court Injunction On Residential Policy: UG Ready To Defend University In Court

University Of Ghana has talked about its preparedness to defend the new residential policy being challenged by some continuing students of the Commonwealth Hall.

They have stated that, their lawyers will strenuously stand to defend the University against Accra High Court’s injunction on implementing new residential policy of moving some continuing students from their traditional hostels.

“Management of the University of Ghana has received a copy of an order for an injunction issued by the High Court, Commercial Division, Accra. This order was secured by eight (8) persons purporting to be residents of Commonwealth Hall. The order is valid for ten (10) days only as it was made without prior notice to the University. The order seeks to restrain the University from implementing a residential policy decision affecting continuing students of Commonwealth Hall.

“The University believes that the order was obtained on the basis of inaccurate information. Accordingly, the lawyers of the university have been instructed to vigorously defend the University in court,” part of the statement read.

As part of the measures to curb frustrations of securing accommodation by fresh students, the University on October 26, 2022, directed continuing students of the Commonwealth Hall to find accommodation outside campus to allow freshers to check in at the beginning of new academic year.

Also, this decision was made due to a violent confrontation that occurred on August 15, 2022, between Commonwealth and a rival hall

“All continuing students of Commonwealth Hall and continuing male students of Mensah Sarbah Hall will not return to these halls, or to any of the traditional halls. They are to be randomly assigned to available rooms in any of the UGEL and private hostels.

“Beginning from the 2022/2023 academic year, only Level 100 and graduate students (Masters and PhD level) will be assigned to Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth Halls. Subsequently, undergraduate students will vacate the halls at the end of Level 100 and may secure accommodation in the private hostels from Level 200 until completion,” Management of University of Ghana said.

In view of the directive, some frustrated students of the Commonwealth Hall of the university who believed their rights are being violated, on Friday January 6, 2023, filed a lawsuit against the university.

The court, in ruling the case said the current situation must be maintained, putting injunction on the University’s decision.

“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Defendant herein is hereby restrained either by itself or its officers, assigns, privies, agents, workmen or anybody working under the Defendant’s instructions from going ahead to implement the decision of the Defendant, dated 26th October 2022 in respect of the residential policy decision affecting continuing students of Commonwealth Hall, University of Ghana. The status quo must be maintained, as it used to be before the 26th October 2022 decision was taken”.

The university is ready to defend its decision despite current judicial order restraining implementation of the new residential policy.