KEY POINTS
- The Appeals Board of the University of Ghana reinstates musician Guru and Emmanuel Owusu Amponsah in the SRC presidential race.
- The candidates were initially disqualified due to alleged residency violations.
- Balloting is set for September 16, with voting no later than September 18, 2024.
The Appeals Board of the University of Ghana has reinstated musician Maradona Adjei Yeboah, popularly known as Guru, and Emmanuel Owusu Amponsah in the upcoming Students’ Representative Council (SRC) presidential election. This decision overturns their earlier disqualification by the SRC, which claimed the candidates did not meet the necessary residency requirements.
The Appeals Board’s ruling, issued on September 15, directs the University’s Electoral Commission to include Guru and Amponsah’s names, along with their running mates, in the final list of SRC presidential candidates.
The ruling also mandated that balloting for all candidates be conducted at the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs on September 16, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.
Appeals board ruling and next steps
The Appeals Board’s decision followed an earlier ruling by the Judicial Board, which had upheld the disqualification of Guru and Amponsah. However, the Vice Dean of the university has now overruled that decision, allowing the candidates to return to the race.
In its letter, the Board stated, “You are directed to carry out the balloting for all SRC candidates vetted by the vetting committee.” According to Graphic Online, the Electoral Commission was also instructed to provide the finalized list of candidates to the University of Ghana’s Computer Services department to ensure voting preparations are completed.
Balloting is set to proceed, with voting to take place before or after the September 16 balloting session, but no later than September 18, 2024.
Earlier disqualification and legal battle
Guru, who is running for SRC president, was initially disqualified on the grounds that he did not meet the university’s residency requirement as stipulated by the SRC constitution. Candidates for executive positions must reside in one of the university’s halls, a criterion that the SRC Electoral Commission argued Guru had not fulfilled.
Last month, Guru challenged his disqualification, filing a petition against the SRC Electoral Commission. The disqualification had raised concerns among his supporters, leading to public outcry and media coverage of the case.
Reacting to the news, Guru expressed relief at the Appeals Board ruling. “It’s a victory for fairness,” he said. Emmanuel Owusu Amponsah also praised the decision, calling it a step toward transparency in student governance.
The decision is expected to heighten competition in the SRC presidential race as the election date approaches. With the inclusion of Guru and Amponsah back on the ballot, the contest is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched in recent university history.
