By Yussif Ibrahim, GNA
Kumasi, Feb. 16 – Dr Harriet Takyi, Ashanti Regional Chairperson of the National Peace Council, has urged students of Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) to uphold tolerance, dialogue, and mutual respect as key pillars for maintaining harmony on campus.
She was addressing students at an engagement programme on the theme: “Promoting Peaceful Coexistence Among Students in the University Campus.”
The event aimed at reflecting on, promoting, and strengthening peaceful living within the university community.
Dr Takyi said the university environment thrived on the diversity of cultures, backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives, describing this diversity as a strength that must be managed responsibly.
“That responsibility requires respect for one another, empathy in communication, and conduct that promotes harmony and shared understanding,” she stated.
She explained that the engagement sought to raise awareness of the importance of tolerance, unity, and mutual respect among students, while encouraging constructive dialogue as a means of resolving conflicts.
It also aimed at fostering inclusiveness and positive relationships among various student groups, as well as equipping students with values needed to maintain peace both on campus and in the wider society.
According to her, a university campus was more than lecture halls and libraries—it was a meeting point of diverse minds and experiences.
Without peaceful coexistence, she cautioned, academic work would be disrupted, relationships strained, and the core mission of the institution undermined.
Dr Takyi stressed that peaceful coexistence did not mean the absence of differences but the ability to manage disagreements constructively.
“It means choosing dialogue over conflict, understanding over prejudice, and cooperation over division,” she noted.
Students’ responses to differing opinions, she added, would shape not only their individual character but also the overall climate of the campus.
She encouraged students to reject violence and discrimination in all forms and to use existing platforms—such as student organisations and academic forums—to build bridges rather than deepen divisions.
Dr Takyi also highlighted the important role of faculty and staff, urging them to continue providing guidance and mentorship that promote inclusivity, fairness, and a culture of peace.
She called on all members of the university community to take collective responsibility for creating a safe and supportive environment where every student feels valued and heard.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah / Lydia Kukua Asamoah