Lecturer and two students of the University of Ghana arrested
A lecturer from the University of Ghana and two students have been arraigned at the Accra Circuit Court on charges of defrauding students out of GH¢106,800 by falsely promising to allocate them beds and rooms at Dr. Hilla Liman Hall. The accused are Joseph Appiah, Stephen Nimako Ansong, and Dr. Kwadwo Owusu Ayeh, a 58-year-old Senior Hall Tutor. They face charges of conspiracy and 32 counts of defrauding by false pretenses. Appiah and Nimako face additional charges for abetment of corruption, while Dr. Ayeh faces an extra charge of corruption by a public officer.
All three pleaded not guilty and were granted bail of GH¢100,000 each with one surety. The trial judge ordered the prosecution to comply with rules of disclosure, and the case has been adjourned to July 30, 2024. The complainant, Professor Gordon Awandare, Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, reported the matter on October 17, 2023. Over 30 students were identified as victims, each paying between GH¢2,000 and GH¢2,500.
Accommodation issues have long been a problem in Ghanaian universities. Recently, University of Cape Coast students complained about a sudden increase in hostel fees. Due to the unexpected rise, some female students have had to move in with their boyfriends to afford accommodation. Students at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology have also campaigned against high hostel prices in the past.
In related news, the University of Cape Coast was recently ranked first in Ghana by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for its contributions to global good health and well-being, highlighting the ongoing challenges and achievements in Ghanaian higher education.
Read More: Final-year student of the University of Ghana involved in a ghastly accident.
