The students, who enrolled in the Automotive Engineering programme, ventured beyond their curriculum to explore innovative solutions.

The group, led by Gladys Cobbinah and her colleagues undertook the task of moulding the coalpots.

Their dedication and teamwork were evident as they successfully presented their creation to the University Management, according to a publication by the University Relations Office on the university’s website.

Gladys Cobbinah expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support provided by the University’s Engineering Department.

She highlighted the collaborative effort that allowed them to transform an idea into a tangible invention. 

“With the support of my fellow colleagues and the guidance of our department, we were able to develop this coal pot. It’s a testament to the university’s commitment to fostering practical learning,” Cobbinah said.

The coal pots, a testament to the students’ hands-on skills, were handed over to the Registrar and his team.

The innovative designs and functional prototypes stood as a testament to the university’s emphasis on the practical application of theoretical knowledge, the publication by the University Relations Office seen by Graphic Online stated.

In a thoughtful gesture, These innovative coal pots would be distributed among the university staff. This did not only showcased the students’ creativity but also provided a sustainable solution for the university community, it added.

The Registrar, Mr. Ebenezer Kofi Boakye on behalf of the university, received the coal pots during a small ceremony, expressing admiration for the student’s work, he emphasized the importance of nurturing a culture of innovation and creativity within the university.

Kumasi Technical University continues to be a hub of forward-thinking education, where students are encouraged to think beyond the classroom and contribute to real-world challenges. The success of these first-year students in creating functional coal pots serves as an inspiring example of the university’s commitment to fostering practical learning and innovation, it added.

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The parents held an emergency meeting with the management of KTI to apologise for the misconduct of their wards.

The students were suspended by the school’s disciplinary committee for staging a protest on campus and destroying school property.

The students went on rampage when the authorities failed to grant them access to watch a football match outside campus. They vandalised several school property, including school vehicles, water tanks and classroom desks.

According to the school authorities, some students who managed to run out of school to watch the football match also attacked the school’s security guard at post for refusing to allow them entry into the school compound. 

Another group of students also managed to leave campus without permission to attend the inter-school athletics competition, absenting themselves from class for nearly three weeks.

On May 26, 2023, the school authorities investigated the matter and concluded on suspending these students. 

The students were asked to leave the school premises and not return until management recalls them. 

But parents of the affected students, disturbed by the verdict of the school management, held an emergency meeting with school authorities to plead on behalf of their wards.

The management of KTI is yet o revoke their decision.

He contends that the sale of the vehicles with approval from the Chief of Staff is contrary to the Public Procurement Act.

The nine vehicles in question are; a Toyota Corolla with registration number GV-1585-14 acquired in the year 2013; Toyota Corolla with registration number GV-1579-14 acquired in the year 2013, and Tata Indigo with registration number GV-1581-14 acquired in the year 2007.

Others are; a Tata Indigo with registration number GV-1582-14 acquired in the year 2007; Tata Indigo with registration number GV-1584-14 acquired in the year 2007, and Tata Indigo with registration number GV-1592-14 acquired in the year 2007.

The rest are; Star Tata Bus with registration number GV-1308-20 acquired in the year 2007; Nissan Hard Body with registration number GV-1580-14 acquired in the year 2006 and Nissan Primera with registration number GV-657-S acquired in the year 2001.

The MP says in November 2020, the Registrar of the Kumasi Technical University requested approval through a letter to the office of the President to dispose off nine unserviceable vehicles in possession of the Kumasi Technical University through Public auction.

He alleges that on the 2nd of December, 2020, the Chief of Staff gave approval to the Kumasi Technical University to dispose of the said vehicles through a Public Auction.

The vehicles are said to have been sold through a public auction on the 22nd of December, 2020. The sales totaled an amount of ¢55,900.

Ownership of the vehicles, the MP says, has been transferred to the purchasers.

The MP, through his lawyers, led by Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, argues that the proper authority to authorise and approve the disposal of the said vehicles is the Minister of Education in consultation with the Board pursuant to Section 83 of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) and not the Chief of Staff.

The said auction, he says, is therefore unlawful and contrary to section 83 of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).

He is seeking the following reliefs:

a. A declaration that the Chief of Staff has no authority to approve the disposal of the nine (9) vehicles in the possession of the Kumasi Technical University by auction sale.

b. A declaration that the auction sale conducted on the 22nd of December, 2020 at the Kumasi Technical University was unlawful as the approval to dispose of the vehicles was contrary to Section 83 of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663)

c. A declaration that the auction sale conducted on the 22nd of December, 2020 at the Kumasi Technical University is null and void as the approval to dispose of the vehicles was contrary to Section 83 of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).

d. A declaration that no valid title has passed to the various purchasers at the auction sale conducted on the 22nd of December, 2020 at the Kumasi Technical University as the auction sale was done contrary to Section 83 of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663

e. An order directing the Government of Ghana to reverse the auction sale and the ownership in the vehicles conducted on the 22nd of December, 2020 at the Kumasi Technical University.

f. Costs including legal fees.

According to him, the barbaric act by the police officials in Kumasi is against the rights of the students hence they deserve huge sums of money as compensation.

Contributing to a statement on the floor of Parliament, Lawyer Appiah-Kubi who is also a Human Rights Lawyer said those police officials involved in the act must be brought to book to serve as deterrent to other police officials who engage in such acts.

“Those students involved in the attacks by the police have the right to go to court to seek compensation over this issue,” Lawyer Appiah-Kubi stressed on the floor of Parliament.

His comment follows a statement by MP for Subin, Eugene Boakye Antwi on the floor of Parliament to draw the attention of the house to the recent incident in Kumasi where about 45 students sustained various degrees of injuries and were later admitted to hospital.

About 37 of them were arrested and detained by the police.

Eugene Boakye Antwi called on appropriate institutions such as the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to investigate the matter and punish officials and students who abused the law.

On Tuesday [February 14, 2017], some KTI students were said to have blocked roads in a jubilant mood after placing third in the Inter-schools sports competition at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.

The reports said the students blocked the road from the Amakom roundabout to their school, causing heavy vehicular.

Contributing to the statement, MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafiamekpor who also condemned the act by the police officials involved in the act said that a directive must be sent to the police administration to stop its officials from using live ammunitions during crowd control.

He added that strict sanctions must be given to police officers who engage in such acts of brutality in the country.