KNUST authorities block students' wifi access over sports betting

Students of the Kwame Nkrumah University
 of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi
 have kicked against moves by the school authorities
 to control sports betting on campus.

The Information Technology Department has already 
blocked access to all betting sites on the university’s 

internet wifi system, pending a final decision by the
 academic board.

Acting University Relations Officer, James Oberko
 says the practice is becoming pervasive at the
 expense of academic work.

“The subject is at various level of discussion but the
 decision has not been taken so we cannot talk about
 the issue in the light of it being a decision by the
 university,” he told Joy News.

According to him, the subject of deliberation has 
been gambling and its effects on students.

The action is to ensure strict adherence 
with the order consequently, KNUST has 
decided against accepting donation or
 sponsorship from companies engaged or
 related to sports betting and gambling.

“It [betting] has reached levels that we cannot be
 proud of as a university set up to train minds and 
people to be responsible citizens for the nation in
 the future. However, gambling has taken a huge 
toll on their academic work and that is of concern
 to us,” Mr Oberko stated.

In a shocking move, some students are however 
protesting the decision to control the wifi system.

They say it is an attempt to block them from using 
the wifi since they can use their private means to bet.