UCC Will Coexist Peacefully with Surrounding Communities-Pro Vice-Chancellor Assures Elders of Apewosika

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George K. T. Oduro has underscored the University’s commitment to coexist peacefully with communities surrounding University of Cape Coast, UCC. Prof. Oduro said the communities provide accommodation for both staff and students of the University, adding “whatever affects the communities has consequences on the University”. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor made these statements when he granted audience to elders of Apewosika Community. He assured the elders that management of the University would always open its doors for them and urged them to advise the youth of the community not to rush to the media on issues concerning the University. He made reference to a recent news report on one of the television networks where some youth of Apewosika accused the University for the leakage of liquid waste from a cesspit tank behind Atlantic Hall to the houses of some residents. Explaining further on the issue of the cesspit tank, Prof. Oduro said the University has procured materials to fix the cesspit tank and also construct drains at the affected areas. He added that staff of the Directorate of Physical Development Estate Management will soon begin work on the project to bring relief to people living close to Atlantic Hall. Speaking on behalf of the elders, Nana Nkwantabisa thanked Prof. Oduro for granting them opportunity to interact with the University delegation. He said the University had now become part and parcel of the Apewosika community, stressing that “some of our people are staff of the University and even our children are also studying here whilst those who are traders earn their source of income from students of the University”. He asked management of the University to forgive a section of the youth of Apewosika who recently demonstrated against the University. He noted that the elders had advised the youth of the community to channel their grievances on any issue through them. Some of the concerns raised by the elders at the meeting were payment of compensation, allocation of land for Apewosika Community Centre, scholarship for indigenes and diversion of drainage system. The elders were entreated to put their concerns into writing and also attach relevant documents where necessary. Present at the meeting were the Director of Academic Affairs, Mr. Jeff Onyame, Director of Legal Consular and General Services, Director of Physical Development Estate Management, Mr. Philip Ntim. The other elders from Apewosika Community were Mr. Solomon Evans, Ebusuapanyin Kweku Essoun and Mr. Francis Nyame.