With preparations underway for the highly anticipated KNUST Student Week Celebration scheduled for July 14 to 21, recent developments at the University of Ghana have prompted important questions. A localized outbreak of COVID-19 on the Legon campus has drawn national attention, not only for its health implications but also for its potential impact on major student events in other universities, especially those involving large gatherings. While the situation at UG has been contained, the nature of the outbreak, its causes, and the country’s ongoing public health vigilance make it relevant to the upcoming celebrations in KNUST.
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| A Busy KNUST Street |
According to the Minister for Health, the outbreak at UG was driven largely by large, crowded Hall Week celebrations where COVID-19 safety protocols were poorly observed. These events created a fertile ground for the virus to spread, resulting in over 100 confirmed cases as of July 1. Though no deaths or hospitalizations have been recorded, the scenario serves as a timely warning for institutions preparing for similar campus-wide festivities. KNUST’s Student Week, like UG’s Hall Weeks, is expected to bring together thousands of students in close contact across concerts, games, food fairs, and other social activities. The risk of a similar spread cannot be ignored, especially if proper health measures are not put in place.
Another dimension to consider is the possibility of inter-campus transmission. It is not uncommon for students from different institutions to participate in each other’s events. Students from KNUST may have attended UG’s Hall Weeks, and students from Legon may travel to Kumasi for Student Week. This inter-campus mobility introduces a new layer of exposure that could potentially carry the virus across regions and institutions. With Greater Accra currently identified as the epicenter of the outbreak, the likelihood that infected individuals could attend or already be present at KNUST events is a genuine concern.
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| Crowd at Vodafone Turnup - KNUST |
While no formal announcement has been made regarding adjustments to KNUST’s Student Week programme, there is a real possibility that the university administration may review or reconsider parts of the celebration. This could include a limitation of large gatherings, a restructuring of programme formats, or, in a worst-case scenario, a temporary suspension. In the context of national preparedness and university autonomy, KNUST may be encouraged to take a more cautious route to protect its students and reputation.
If the event does proceed, there is no doubt that strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols will be non-negotiable. However, the very implementation of these protocols could impact the experience and effectiveness of the celebrations. Reduced crowd sizes, enforced mask usage, regulated access to events, hand hygiene checkpoints, and movement restrictions may dampen the full energy and engagement expected from Student Week. These adjustments, though necessary, may affect turnout and limit student interaction, especially at peak events such as artiste night, concerts, pageants, and cultural exhibitions.
UG, LEGON 📰
— KNUST NEWS FILE (@knustnewsfile) July 1, 2025
According to the Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, as of July 1, there are 316 suspected cases of COVID-19, with 107 confirmed.#KNUSTNewsFile pic.twitter.com/epioEGLmq8
Ultimately, the responsibility for a safe celebration will lie equally with event organizers and students. The SRC, in collaboration with university authorities, must prioritize public health without compromising the essence of celebration. Measures must go beyond announcements, they must be enforced on the ground, supported with logistics, and clearly communicated through all available channels. Students, too, must commit to observing protocols, reporting symptoms early, and protecting not just themselves but the wider community.
KNUST 📰
— KNUST NEWS FILE (@knustnewsfile) June 28, 2025
Student Week Celebration is scheduled from 14th to 21st July.
However, the Saturday after mid-semester will kick off with a kenkey party and a campus-wide cleanup exercise.#KNUSTNewsFile pic.twitter.com/f58ySXuQZL
The COVID-19 outbreak at UG is a reminder that while we may be past the peak of the pandemic, the virus remains with us. It will flare up when we become complacent, and large gatherings are natural points of vulnerability. KNUST has the opportunity to demonstrate how institutions can navigate celebration in a post-COVID environment, balancing joy with responsibility. With firm planning and collective discipline, the Student Week Celebration can still go on successfully. But to ignore the warning signs from UG would be both risky and avoidable.
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