Five former students of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) who were dismissed last year have been formally declared persona non grata by the university’s management following their alleged continuous involvement in activities that disrupt the institution’s operations and threaten campus stability.

The students were all dismissed on July 21, 2025, for misconduct. However, after repeatedly defying their dismissal orders and continuing to frequent the university, management imposed a permanent ban on their access to the campus.

The individuals affected by the directive are Bernard Boadi, Francis Tutu Atuahene, John Kelvin Kane, Roland Botwe Nsiah, and Felix Acquah.

In a statement released by the University Relations Office and signed by Deputy Registrar Daniel Norris Bekoe on Friday, March 13,  it urged the general to report any of the above-listed culprits to the campus security or nearby police if found anywhere around the school premises.

“The individuals are hereby prohibited from entering or remaining on the KNUST campus,” the statement said.

It also warned that students, groups or individuals found mingling with the 5 students will face consequences as stated in the school’s laws.

“Any student, group or affiliates who associate themselves with …..will be dealt with in accordance with the Statutes of the University and the State Laws,” parts of the statement read.

The university explained that the measure was taken to protect students, staff and visitors while preserving discipline and the smooth running of academic and administrative activities.

KNUST emphasised that it remains committed to strictly enforcing its regulations in order to maintain a secure and peaceful environment that supports teaching, learning, research and community engagement.

In April last year, KNUST banned two former students, Ransford Fosu-Boateng, also known as Scammer Baby, and Raphael Appiah Owusu, from coming anywhere near the campus.

According to the university, the two had been causing trouble for some time and posed a threat to the peace and safety of the institution.

In a statement issued by the school’s Registrar, it was revealed that Ransford was dismissed in March 2022, while Raphael was also dismissed at the end of the 2023/2024 academic year.

Even after their dismissal, the two continued sneaking into the school’s hostels, causing disturbances, harassing other students, and disregarding school regulations.

The university stated that they were no longer students and should not be seen loitering on campus.

“They were banned from campus and would be treated as trespassers if found anywhere on university grounds,” the statement said.

KNUST also warned current students to stay away from the two individuals. It added that any student caught assisting them or granting them access to university facilities would face serious sanctions.

KNUST's rules on misconduct

KNUST’s Students’ Guide and Code of Conduct classifies misconduct into four categories.

They include: academic, behavioural, property and institutional, and criminal or social.

Academic misconduct includes cheating during examinations, such as copying, impersonation, or using unauthorized materials. It also covers plagiarism, where a student presents another person’s work as their own, and falsification of records or misrepresentation in academic matters.

Behavioural misconduct refers to disruptive conduct that interferes with teaching, learning, or administration. It also involves acts of violence or threats against staff, students, or property, harassment in any form—whether sexual, verbal, or physical—and substance abuse on campus.

Property and institutional misconduct involves damaging university property through vandalism or theft, unauthorised occupation or use of facilities, and defiance of lawful instructions issued by university authorities.

Criminal or social misconduct includes engaging in criminal activity either on or off campus that tarnishes the reputation of the university. It also covers organising unlawful demonstrations or riots, as well as cyber misconduct such as hacking or spreading false information.

To address these violations, the statutes empower KNUST to impose disciplinary measures. These range from warnings or reprimands to suspension, which temporarily removes a student from academic activities. In more serious cases, dismissal may be applied, permanently removing the student from the university.

Finally, the university may declare a dismissed student persona non grata, banning them from campus entirely and making the order enforceable by arrest if violated.