‘Republic of Legon’ to block all access routes to the public

• Posted on February 28, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

University of Ghana, Legon has again taken the law into their hands once again. The University which is behaving lately as a Republic has in a statement said the school will block all access routes to the public with the exception of the entrance from the Okponglo intersection.

This directive has been considered by many see as as a punishment for road users after the school was told by government not to charge the road tolls. The University defends that it cannot support academic work with the needed environment when 16,000 vehicles travel through its Legon campus every day.

Below is the full statement signed by the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Mercy Haizel-Ashia

STATEMENT ON PUBLIC ACCESS TO LEGON CAMPUS

Preamble

The University of Ghana is committed to improving and protecting its facilities and physical assets as part of a larger programme to enhance the quality of its products. The object is to re-establish and maintain a serene atmosphere that is conducive to academic work, including teaching and research. The University cannot support academic work with the needed environment when 16,000 vehicles travel through its Legon campus every day, creating significant congestion at crucial times as well as posing safety and security challenges for members of the university community, especially our students.

Mindful, however, of the inconvenience restrictions on the use of campus roads may impose on neighbouring communities, the University has taken steps to work with Government to provide appropriate alternative routes for the use of motorists who have no legitimate business on the campus.  University of Ghana is taking steps to enforce already existing restrictions in the use of its roads as public thoroughfare.  It is important to note that University of Ghana has always been and remains private property even though it is publicly owned.

The general public is hereby advised to take note of the following directives on access to Legon Campus, with effect from 5.00 a.m. on Saturday, 15th March 2014.

Directives on Access

1.     The Stadium Road entrance (Okponglo Junction) to the University is, for the time being, designated the main entrance to the University. It will remain open 24 hours a day to the general public. Members of the general public seeking to enter the University campus for any reason are advised to use this entry point.

2.     Vehicles entering the University by the Stadium Road will be required to exit the campus by the same road.

3.     All other entry points, including the one at the Link Gate on the road from Achimota and on the Annie Jiagge Road Extension from Haatso, will not open to the general public. They will, however, open for persons who have been pre-approved by University Management. Typically persons who have been pre-approved will be provided with a “UG Sticker” to display on their vehicle windscreen. Vehicles with a “UG Sticker” may enter and exit the campus from any of the designated points.

4.     Members of the general public who wish to be considered for a “UG Sticker” may submit an application to the Director of Physical Development and Municipal Services.

5.     Vehicles without a 2014 “UG Sticker” will not be permitted to exit the campus from any other point except the Stadium Road.

6.     All persons who were issued with various “UG Stickers” in 2014, when the University applied a user charge to all vehicles entering the campus, are to note that these will remain valid until they are replaced with new stickers by the University.

7.     All commercial vehicles (except those belonging to the two transport unions that have registered with the University) may enter and exit the campus only through the Stadium Road.

8.     With the exception of the Stadium Road entrance, all other entry and exit points will be shut at midnight and be opened at 5.00 a.m. daily, as has been the practice.

9.     The University will start a campus shuttle bus service for its staff and students shortly.

The University appeals for the understanding and cooperation of members of the community.

Mercy Haizel-Ashia

REGISTRAR

Author: Nana Kwesi Coomson (www.233times.net)