Have you ever had the opportunity to tour around the four walls of the best University in Ghana and No.12 on the continent? You may have wondered or wondering how time will gift you that chance to explore the inner and outer views of Ghana’s giant Science and Technological University, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), but hey, hold your breath because this article is going to give you visual, pictorial, explorative, expeditious, and memorable and exciting overview of all the KNUST halls and hostels on campus.
New to KNUST? Let Me Guide You
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is a world-class academic centre of excellence, spearheading West Africa’s pursuit of technological advancement. Its campus is located at a very ideal place inside the city of Kumasi.
With an estimated eight-mile square of aesthetic beauty, a rising and falling landscape, state of the art buildings, a wide range of trees, long stretches of well-cut lawns and very conspicuous flora prettification, the community provides the right atmosphere for the holistic development of students.
There are over 100 student groups and organizations on campus, although that number keeps expanding because students are encouraged to start new clubs to fit their interests – and they don’t hesitate to do so! All student groups are governed and managed by students, and there is literally something for everybody.
Unfolding the halls’ history, we are going to take a critical look at how each hall emerged, their transition, and current state, coupled with the impact of University policies on the structure, administration, governance, leadership, traditions, culture, and state of the halls.
All you need to know about the KNUST Halls of residence
Traditionally, KNUST has six (6) main halls, which include: Independence Hall, Africa Hall, University Hall, Republic Hall, Unity Hall, and Queens Hall.
1. Independence Hall
As the premier and maiden hall in KNUST, Independence Hall also serves as a permanent hall of residence for all genders (both male and female students).
This hall is very special in KNUST and Ghana at large because it was opened in 1959 to commemorate Ghana’s independence on March 6, 1957.
Members of the halls are popularly known as ‘Spartans’. The main hall has 198 rooms, coupled with 96 rooms in 8 storey annex.
Aside its beautiful and serene environment, it also has well equipped internet cafe, communication centre, Gym, chapel, salon, Games room, mini mart and a Dining Hall.
2. Africa Hall
First occupied by students on October 14, 1967, the hall was converted into a mixed hall in 2018, as part of the university’s policies under the leadership of Prof. Obiri Danso.
Members of Africa Hall are called “Domites”. Considered as one of the best halls on campus by students, Africa Hall has modern internet cafe, Mini Basket ball court, Games room, Salon, Chapel, Laundry, modern mini-market, and a well managed kitchen that serves food. It also has a J.C.R that sticks all kinds of food.
3. University Hall
The University Hall, popularly known as “Katanga” was established to commemorate the accession of the then Kumasi College of Technology to a full University status on August 22, 1961.
As a male giant hall on campus, which was always at rivalry with ‘Conti’, Unity Hall, Katanga lost its status to a mixed hall in 2018, as part of the policies of the University under the administration of Pro. Obiri Danso.
Among the hall’s facilities include Barbering Salon, Games room, Chapel, a mini market, communication centre, internet cafe, a Gym, kitchen that serves food, coupled with a very entertaining and lively Junior Common Room (J.C.R).
The hall can accommodate up to 792 students and 380 students in the main hall (198 rooms) and annex (95 rooms) respectively.
4. Republic Hall
The Republic Hall was established to commemorate the attainment of Ghana’s Republican status in 1960. Though it was initially established to admit only male students, the hall changed to a mixed hall status, and started admitting female students in 1991. It has 198 rooms and 96 rooms in the main block and annex respectively.
Republic Hall has a modern mini basketball court, Chapel, Games room, Salon, Gift Shop, kitchen that serves food, and a very popular Junior Common Room called “Cock Tarven”.
“Repu” is the popular name of the hall, and it is also well known for its unique Hall Week Celebration style on campus and beyond.
5. Unity Hall
Unity Hall, popularly known as “Conti” admitted its first batch of students on October 16, 1968.
Presently, the hall has a student population of over 1000.
Members of the halls are popularly called “Continentals” or “Conti” for short. Its modern facilities have been nicknamed “The Twin of Towers”.
Conti has a modern internet cafe, Communication & business centre, Basket ball court, Games room, a Boutique & Gift Shop, Barbering Salon, kitchen that serves food and a Shopping mall with a well stocked Super market.
Unity Hall is also the only hall with a radio station-Continental Radio 96.1fm and the most comfortable, friendly and spacious Junior Common Room on campus.
Due to a change in the university’s policies, Conti lost its male hall status to a mixed hall on August 1, 2018.
6. Queen Elizabeth II Hall
The Queens Hall popularly called was named after the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, and the hall was officially commissioned by the Duke of Edinburgh in November 1959.
However, Queen Elizabeth II never visited the hall until 1961 during her state visit to Ghana.
The hall’s facilities include a modern internet cafe, Communication Centre, Badminton court, Salon, Games room, a Gym, Gift Shop, shopping mall, and a kitchen that serves food.
Members of the hall are popularly called “Royals”.
Currently, Queens Hall is a mixed hall with 294 rooms in the heart of the KNUST campus.
KNUST Halls conversion
Initially, all the halls were single-sex halls until there was a change in the policies of the University regarding accommodation and an increase in student population. The most recent development was the one championed by Prof. Obiri Danso, which led to the conversion of University Hall, Unity Hall, and Africa Hall into mixed halls in 2018. The Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Professor Kwesi Yankah, has described as laudable, the conversion of all single-sex halls of residence into mixed facilities at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). According to him, the decision is one that fits into national policy and changing global trends. Read our article here to Find out more about the KNUST Hall conversion.
Read Also: KNUST: ‘University Council has power to convert halls, not gov’t’ – NAPO
List of Hostels on KNUST campus
Aside these six KNUST halls, the KNUST campus is also endowed with hostels students can also patronize and make use of.
Find below the list of hostels:
1. KNUST SRC Hostel
2. GUSSS Hostels ( Brunei and Hall 7)
The Brunei hostels at KNUST are some of the most popular hostels on campus. The hostel prides itself on the following large rooms, good faculties, and tight security. The GUSS Hostel is made up of the Brunei Hostel and Hall 7. To apply to the GUSS Hostel, read our guide here.
3. Tek Credit Union Hostel
The hostel provides cutting edge accommodation solution for students of the university and is noted for its serene atmosphere and its watertight security.
4. Graduate Students Hostel
5. MasterCard International Hostel.
The 6-story building is said to help accommodate the increasing number of students who are enrolled in the institution with a prime focus on international students. Find out more details on the Mastercard international Hostel here
We hope this article has given you the history of all the KNUST halls on campus.
Credit: hypercitigh.com/KNUST
