More than 430 delegates met at the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi from April 17 to 23 for a symposium organized by the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) on "peace, democracy and national development" [ T. Kojo Vieta, "Students for Peace", West Africa, 30 May 1988, p. 960.]. The symposium, focusing on human rights issues, also addressed the question of school and boarding fees increase [ Ibid.]. The major demands of the delegates were: an increase in feeding allowances for university students and in government funding for higher education, the implementation of University Rationalisation Committee's schemes, the replacement of the National Commission for Democracy by a multi-party political system, the repeal of PNDC Law 4 on Preventive Custody and PNDC Law 91 (Habeas Corpus Amendment), which permit arrest and detention without charge, the dissolution of the Civil Defence Organisation and the People's Militia, and the establishment of economic programs to enhance standards of living in the country [ Ibid.].

The NUGS demands were supported by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which sent a communiqué to the Kumasi symposium [ "TUC Opposes School Fees Increase", West Africa, 9 May 1988, p. 856.]. The Secretary for Education and Culture reacted to the students' concerns by reassuring them that the government would take all necessary measures to solve the financial problems limiting access to university [ "Asante Reassures University Students", West Africa, 4 July 1988, p. 1228.]. t the end of 1988, however, the Secretary announced major cuts in education funding and student allowances [ "The Secondary and University Package", West Africa, 26 December 1988-8 January 1989, p. 2438.].

From 23 June 1988, students started boycotting lectures at the universities of Cape Coast and Kumasi [ T. Kojo Vieta, "Food for Body and Mind", West Africa, 11 July 1988, p. 1266.]. In Legon, police forces reacted by walking to the University of Ghana campus with armoured cars and armed policemen [ Ibid.]. No information specific to Mr. Ansah was located in the literature available.

For more details on NUGS relationship with the government since its formation 25 years ago, please refer to an article from West Africa describing the evolution of the student body [ T. Kojo, "The Student Agenda", West Africa, 25 April 1988, p. 733.]. For information on government treatment of opponents, see an article from Africa Events which is contemporary of the April 1988 Kumasi symposium [ "They Come at Midnight", Africa Events, March/April 1988, p. 14.].

No information specific to the penalties for escaping prison is currently available at the IRBDC in Ottawa (no copy of the penal code is available). Please find attached, however, an Amnesty International document which states that according to PNDC Law 4, any person suspected of harming national security (could include prison escapes) can be held incommunicado without charge or trial for an indefinite period of time [ Amnesty International, Urgent Action, (London: AI Index: AFR 28/08/88, 5 April 1988), p. 1.].