NUGS Demands Probe After Police Allegedly Assault Nursing Students During Protest

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has called for an immediate investigation into the alleged assault of students of Techiman Krobo Nursing Training College by officers of the Ghana Police Service during a peaceful demonstration over deteriorating welfare conditions on campus.

In a statement issued by NUGS President Rashid Ibrahim Esq., the student body described the reported use of force against unarmed students as “unacceptable” and inconsistent with the constitutional rights guaranteed to every Ghanaian.

According to NUGS, the students staged the protest after repeated attempts to engage college authorities over longstanding concerns—including poor feeding, unsanitary conditions, weak communication between management and the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), and other issues affecting their academic and residential life—failed to produce meaningful action.

The union argued that the demonstration became a last resort after dialogue had been exhausted, stressing that students retain their constitutional right to peacefully assemble and express grievances.

“Students do not lose their constitutional rights because they are on campus,” the statement noted, adding that those rights should be protected rather than suppressed.

NUGS criticised what it described as the excessive use of force by security personnel, insisting that while the Ghana Police Service has a mandate to maintain public order, that responsibility must always be exercised with professionalism and respect for human rights.

The union has therefore urged the Inspector-General of Police to commission an independent investigation into the incident and ensure that any officer found to have acted unlawfully is held accountable.

Beyond the security concerns, NUGS also appealed to the Ministry of Health and the management of Techiman Krobo Nursing Training College to provide immediate medical attention to students who reportedly sustained injuries during the confrontation.

The union further demanded urgent action to resolve the welfare challenges that sparked the protest, arguing that improving living conditions and strengthening engagement between management and students are essential to restoring calm on campus.

Reaffirming its commitment to student advocacy, NUGS pledged to continue engaging the relevant authorities until justice is served and sustainable solutions are implemented for the affected students.

NewsOrigins Insight: The incident is likely to intensify scrutiny over how security agencies respond to student demonstrations in Ghana, while also raising broader questions about governance, welfare standards and accountability within public tertiary health institutions.