Techiman Krobo Nursing Students Protest Over Welfare Concerns, Demand Principal’s Removal

Students of the Techiman Krobo Nursing and Midwifery Training College in the Bono East Region have staged a protest on campus, demanding the removal of Principal Ellen Dwamena over what they describe as worsening welfare conditions and poor management.

The students, who have boycotted classes, say they will not return to lecture halls until their concerns are addressed. Some of the placards displayed during the protest carried messages including “No classes until she’s gone,” as students called on authorities to intervene.

The demonstration was triggered by concerns over feeding arrangements, sanitation, hostel conditions and what students describe as a breakdown in communication between management and the Students’ Representative Council (SRC).

Students alleged that welfare conditions have deteriorated under the current administration, with some calling for the return of the former principal whom they credit with improving student welfare.

The situation reportedly escalated during the protest after some demonstrators allegedly clashed with police officers deployed to the campus. Police are reported to have fired gunshots while dispersing the crowd and arrested some students.

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has since condemned the reported use of force against the students, describing the response as unacceptable.

In a statement signed by its President, Rashid Ibrahim, NUGS said students have the constitutional right to peacefully demonstrate and called for an independent investigation into the incident.

“NUGS strongly condemns the reported assault on these students. The use of force against unarmed students who were peacefully expressing their concerns is unacceptable and has no place in a democratic society,” the union stated.

NUGS also urged the Ministry of Health and college authorities to address the welfare concerns that led to the protest and provide support for any students affected by the incident.

Meanwhile, a student of the institution has shared further details about the concerns that led to the demonstration during an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem programme.

Speaking anonymously, the student alleged that changes to feeding arrangements, hostel management and academic decisions have contributed to growing frustration among students.

She claimed that under the previous principal, students paid GH¢1,800 for feeding and received three meals daily, including weekends and holidays. However, she alleged that the current arrangement has reduced the quantity and frequency of meals provided to students.

She also raised concerns about accommodation, claiming that the number of available school hostels had reduced, while some students were facing challenges with off-campus accommodation.

The student further alleged that some final-year students with outstanding resit papers were prevented from taking practical examinations despite having completed registration, forcing them to delay completion of their programmes.

The Techiman Krobo Nursing and Midwifery Training College management is yet to officially respond to the allegations and demands from the students.