Students of the University of Ghana, Legon, are calling on authorities to ban the upcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) national conference, citing serious concerns over a potential resurgence of COVID-19 cases on campus and nationwide.
The call comes in the wake of growing anxiety over reported upticks in flu-like symptoms among students, which some fear may signal a fresh wave of COVID-19 infections. With the NPP planning to host thousands of delegates, party executives, and supporters on or near university grounds, students say the risk is too high.
Health Before Politics
The student leadership and several campus health advocates argue that public health should take precedence over political events, especially in a densely populated academic environment.
“We are not against the NPP or any political group, but we are against the timing and location of this mass gathering,” one SRC representative told campus radio. “Our classrooms, hostels, and lecture halls are full. Adding thousands more from outside the university during a health scare is reckless.”
Echoes of Past Outbreaks
The call for a ban is influenced by memories of how previous gatherings—both political and religious—were linked to outbreaks of COVID-19 in Ghana during the height of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
Medical students and health science associations on campus have joined the appeal, warning that hosting such a large-scale event could undo months of containment efforts, especially with limited adherence to preventive protocols like masking and social distancing.
University Response Pending
As of now, the university’s management has not issued an official statement regarding the students’ demand or the planned NPP event. However, there is mounting pressure on both university authorities and the Ghana Health Service to evaluate the public health implications of allowing the conference to proceed as scheduled.
Political Reactions
While the NPP has not formally responded to the concerns raised by Legon students, party insiders maintain that all necessary COVID-19 protocols will be observed, and that the conference will be conducted in accordance with national health guidelines.
Still, many students remain unconvinced.
“Ghana cannot afford another outbreak,” one concerned student nurse said. “If the university or government won’t act, then we students will have to speak louder.”
What’s Next?
Awaiting response from the University of Ghana administration Possible petition to the Ministry of Health or Ghana Health Service Public scrutiny of how political events are handled during health alerts
As tensions rise, the debate highlights a larger question: how should political events be balanced against public health concerns—especially in academic settings?
