On 14 February 2017 the Ashesi Judicial Committee (AJC) ruled in a case of alleged use of Marijuana in a hostel catering mainly to Ashesi students.The AJC concluded that the student, a member of the Class of 2018, was guilty of using Marijuana alleged by the hostel management and based on the student’s own confession.
As stated in Ashesi’s student handbook:
“Violations of the laws of Ghana may, at the discretion of the of the Dean of Student and Community Affairs and the Ashesi Judicial Committee, subject a student to University disciplinary action, which may include adjudication by the AJC or suspension by the Executive Committee, as described under the Campus Safety Decision in Section 10.2.” Section 12
Furthermore, the student handbook also references the use of drugs as a violation of the university’s rules and regulations in Section 10.3
After deliberating, the AJC arrived at the following sanctions:
- The student is being suspended from Ashesi with immediate effect. The earliest that the student can resume is June 2017.
- The student is required to immediately undergo a drug rehabilitation program and/or counselling therapy for drug use and addiction. The student would have to submit a detailed documentation attesting to significant progress in the program/therapy for the student to be allowed to return to Ashesi.
- Any further violation of Ashesi rules and regulations regarding illegal substance use as stated or implied in the student handbook would lead to an immediate expulsion.
Advice to the Ashesi Community
The AJC encourages the Community to consider the importance of understanding and adhering to all the laws of Ghana. Furthermore, non-adherence to the rules and regulation in the student handbook can have grave repercussions. The AJC would especially like to advise the Ashesi community of the following:
- Students need to be aware that they are expected to abide by all Ashesi’s social conduct policies under the student handbook always, including off campus Ashesi activities.
- Students who have issues related to drug use and addiction should speak with the university’s health center staff and/or the Director of Counselling confidentially.