CKT-UTAS management assures student leaders commitment to address concerns

Management of the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS) in Navrongo, has assured its student leadership of a proactive response to grievances raised in an internal memo, as tensions build ahead of a May 21 ultimatum issued by the Student Representative Council (SRC).

In a statement on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Tuesday April 29, Acting Head of University Relations, Abdul-Majeed Yussif, reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to resolving the students’ concerns, while highlighting structural and transitional challenges faced by the institution.

“We have a huge infrastructure deficit, transitioning from a campus to a fully-fledged university,” Yussif said. “This university was funded without seed funds, and that has impacted our ability to scale up quickly.”

The SRC, along with the Graduate Students’ Association (GRASSAG), had threatened peaceful demonstrations should their concerns, including infrastructural shortfalls and delayed graduation ceremonies, remain unresolved.

Responding to these issues, Yussif noted that delays in graduation were linked to the absence of a university governing council — a situation he attributed to the recent governmental transition in January 2025.

“The challenges with the graduation is the absence of the governing council; the power to confer degrees is vested in them. In their absence, management is not in the position to hold a graduation ceremony.” Yussif stated.

Yussif further revealed that university authorities would soon meet with SRC and GRASSAG leadership to dialogue on a peaceful resolution and avert the planned protest.

“It is not as though management has gone to sleep, we have drummed home the need for some intervention from government and relevant stakeholders, we have never relented in our approach in dealing with issues affecting our students.” He stated urging the students to remain patient.

“The Vice Chancellor is aware of this development. There will be an engagement session with the student leaders to fashion out solutions rather than embarking on a demonstration,” he added.

Addressing infrastructural concerns, Emmanuel Junior Adugbila, Acting Director of Physical Development and Estates Management, said management is working on repurposing existing campus structures into lecture halls to ease overcrowding.

He also urged students to participate in maintaining a clean environment, describing sanitation as a shared responsibility.

CKT-UTAS, which gained full university status in 2021, continues to face transitional hurdles. However, management’s recent assurances point to ongoing efforts to stabilize operations and foster constructive engagement with the student body.

Mike 105.3 FM| Navrongo | Alexander Bombande