To whom it may concern
Dear Sir/Madam,
The latest directive by the University to all resident students to vacate their halls with all their belongings by Saturday 4pm has elicited the fury of the general student community and called out myriads of agitations in that regard.
As students, we still cannot fathom why the University has not been fluid in communicating issues to us, but has rather taken steps to compound the problem and widely expose us to the tentacles of the novel Coronavirus.
Firstly, we believe that in the spirits of clarity the University should have made it clear to the student population to leave the campus with all their belongings with a categorically spelt out deadline earlier on after the Vice Chancellor’s emergency address.
In deeper considerations, it is emerging that students residing in Tamale, Takoradi, Sunyani and other far areas would be incredibly exposed to contracting the virus because in their efforts to come to Accra, they will come into contact with a lot of people and find themselves in overly congested areas such as the bus terminals.
Also when coming back from campus, let us take into consideration the number of people that will handle our baggages and belongings. We may be subtly but insidiously falling into the bushtraps of Coronavirus.
Also, the cost of transportation in and out will be a burden to the pocket of some parents who have already instructed their children to vacate campus because they will be paying twice the cost of an in and out journey in one week.
That aside, we have been strictly advised to keep off crowded assemblies.
If students are to return to campus, we will be exposed to coming into contact with other students who have also come into contact with other people in their homes, all widening the bracket of danger and panic.
Lastly, it is trite knowledge that a reasonable fraction of parents and guardians may even prevent their wards from stepping out of home, let alone traveling to Legon for their belongings.
We believe that in our endeavour to climb higher on the ladder, we must properly guide and guard ourselves not to die prematurely.
Students of UG cannot come back for their belongings. It is risky!
Columnist: Nana Kofi Ampong-Darkwah
chrisdaily 