A University of Ghana Pharmacy student has been arrested by the police for raising a placard calling for the immediate opening of the UG Medical Center.

The student, identified as one Sekyi-Brown Reginald, is reported to have raised the placard during a programme where the First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo was in attendance.

Reginald was spotted holding a placard with the inscription “Open UGMC Now” when the First Lady visited the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to cut sod for the construction of a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. The apprehended student is believed to be a strong advocate who has been pushing for the opening of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).

Reports suggest that he has been detained at the Korle-Bu Police station for raising a placard whiles the First Lady was present at the programme. His reported arrested has raised concern among some Ghanaians on social media, with a section lamenting the actions of the Police.

The UGMC was inaugurated in 2016 by the erstwhile John Mahama administration.

The first face of the project was then commissioned in January 2017, making it ready for use. However, the facility has since remained idle following an impasse between the University and the Health Ministry over who to manage it.

Last year, the matter got heated up to the extent that the UG Board walked out of a negotiation with the Health Minister. It remains to be seen, though, why the police would arrest a student for raising a placard to call for the opening of the facility.