Poor academic performance, engaging in indiscriminate sex, loss of self-worth are some of the negative effects students on the University of Ghana campus who cohabitate are likely to experience according to a counselor, Rev. Dr. Bridget Ben-Naimah.
The University of Ghana counselor further debunked all possible justifications for students who engage in the practice of cohabitation adding that “The paramount reason why we [students] come to the University is to study”
Cohabitation here refers to the practice where young couples stay together on campus as though legally married. They do almost everything together including laundry, cooking, studying, some decide to flaunt their relationship by wearing matching clothes with their partners.
On the University of Ghana Legon campus, it is common to find students spending the night together with their partners regardless of the number of occupants in the room and the inconvenience that might cause other room occupants; a practice that clearly violates the rules and tenancy agreement all students on campus assent to.
Confirming the situation to Univers News, some Junior Common (JCR) Room Presidents in some halls revealed that the practice is so rife that some female students especially, after spending the night in the company of their boyfriends also use the male designated washrooms.
In this case, you are likely to see the host standing in front of the bathhouse there by preventing other users from entering till his guest is done using the place.
“Apart from happening in my hall, I can say it is happening almost everywhere in the University. For instance, you go to the washroom and you mob into a female using a male washroom because she is coming to sleep over and she has to use the washroom… I have complained about this” John Howard Avornyo JCR President Mensah Sarbah hall.
“It’s become a bit prevalent, I shouldn’t be that naive. A lady was ejected from the hall because her boyfriend had become a fifth roommate” Witness Avutor JCR President Alexander Adum Kwapong hall.
The practice, however, has some dire consequences for the host’s roommates since their freedom in the room is curtailed at least temporarily.
Due to the presence of the opposite sex, roommates who usually sleep in loose clothes will have to go to bed all dressed up to prevent some body parts from being exposed to the ‘visitor turned a pseudo room member’.
In the past, some disciplinary actions including suspensions, fines and even ejection from the hall have been meted out to students found guilty.
The Dean of student’s affairs Professor Francis Nunoo has however warned that students who will be caught engaging in the act won’t be spared. He further revealed that his office in consultation with the various hall tutors will begin investigations into the practice.
“I am going to draw the attention of all senior tutors and hall masters to this situation and ask them to investigate, assess and get to know those involved and bring them to book and apply the relevant sanctions within the regulations to deter others from starting it all over”
Listen to the full report below:
mensaduncan.wordpress.com 