The Sunyani Technical University (STU) has raised serious concerns about the safety of its students following repeated violent invasions by armed lan
The Sunyani Technical University (STU) has raised serious concerns about the safety of its students following repeated violent invasions by armed land guards who have encroached on portions of the university’s land.
According to the latest Auditor-General’s Report, STU has already lost 35 acres out of its 163-acre property to encroachers.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kwadwo Adinkrah-Appiah explained that the dispute began over a decade ago when a family claiming ownership of the land demanded compensation from the university.
He said the institution forwarded the request to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance for action. However, just weeks later, the university received court summons, and before the case could be resolved, people began building on the land.
“When it started, the university mobilized and demolished over 30 structures on the land,” he recounted. “But after the demolition, they returned, filed about 10 new cases in court, and continued building.”
The Vice-Chancellor revealed that the situation soon turned violent, with land guards returning armed with machetes and other weapons, making it unsafe for university staff and students.
“They were actually wielding cutlasses and other implements, making it difficult for our staff to stop them. Even when students go there for survey work, they are chased away,” he said.
Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah noted that attempts to secure the land with signboards and warnings were met with resistance, as the intruders repeatedly removed or destroyed them.
Chairperson of PAC, Abena Osei-Asare, said resolving the issue depends on verifying whether the government paid the necessary compensation to the affected family.
She explained that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, along with the Ministry of Finance, must clarify whether compensation was made and, if not, take steps to resolve the matter legally.
Prof. Adinkrah-Appiah stressed that no land dispute should endanger the lives of students or obstruct academic work.
“Even if the encroachers had legitimate ownership of the land, it is unacceptable to chase students or staff with machetes,” he said, urging the Bono Regional Security Council to treat the situation as a matter of national security.