UPSA VC Snubs Graduate With Cornrow Hairstyle During Congregation, Refuses Handshake, Video
- Thousands of graduates have completed their studies at the University of Professional Studies
- A video of the congregation showed the awkward moment when the Vice-Chancellor of the University deliberately refused to shake hands with some graduates
- Netizens who reacted to the video have shared varied opinions on the motive behind the action by the Vice-Chancellor
- Hairstylist Susuana Agyir criticised a lecturer for judging students by their hairstyles, stressing that appearance does not define character or academic ability.
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The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, is trending after an incident at the university's 17th congregation went viral.
A video sighted by YEN.com.gh on the TikTok page of @capendro showed the Vice-Chancellor shaking hands with some graduates before Ghanaians noticed something peculiar.
Source: Twitter
In the 11-second footage, it was observed that Professor John Mensah Mawutor was selective with the graduates he shook hands with, as he mostly ignored male graduates.
It was a sad scene when one of the graduates, who had a neatly styled cornrow hairstyle, stretched forth his hand hoping to shake hands with the Vice-Chancellor, only to be ignored.
Source: Facebook
Professor Mawutor again refused to shake hands with another graduate who had a neatly faded haircut.
Although the reasons behind his actions have not been officially stated, many netizens have speculated that his decision not to shake hands with some graduates may be linked to their appearance and hairstyle.
At the time of writing this report, the video had generated over 16,000 likes and 500 comments.
Watch the video below:
Reactions to UPSA VC refusing graduate's handshake
Social media users who took to the comments section of the video have shared their views on the encounter between the Vice Chancellor and the graduate.
100 commented:
"That's so unethical, whether haircut or not. The hair on someone's head doesn't show his competence or not. Braids, for instance, carry a very beautiful African history, and for goodness’ sake, this is graduation."
Stazy_Reigns97 wrote:
"Why was he ignoring some people? And the other professor is laughing like that? That’s bad, so unprofessional of them."
Eugene Kwakye stated:
"So I was going to say it’s because they are improperly dressed, since they are not wearing their mortarboards. But then, some who also refused to wear theirs got their handshake from him."
The_dean commented:
"Meaning even if he is on the verge of death, he won’t let a surgeon with braids save him?"
Tree added:
"I don’t get why, but I pray one day things change. A person’s haircut or hairstyle says nothing about their true character, nature, or potential."
D Prems GH indicated:
"Because of their hairstyles."
Hairstylist condemns UPSA VC snubbing graduates
Ghanaian hairstylist and CEO of Szy Oevrous, Susuana Agyir, in an interview with YEN.com.gh criticised the Vice Chancellor's demeanour towards the students, stressing that their hairstyles do not determine their character or make them bad students.
According to her, tertiary students must not be treated in such a manner since they are all adults who know what is best for themselves.
“The lecturer’s reaction towards the students must be condemned. Every student should be treated equally, and a student’s ability and potential should not be measured by their hairstyle. That behaviour and those beliefs are outdated.
Ghanaian society should embrace everyone regardless of their hairstyle. This reminds me of the Achimota Rastafarian student who excelled academically after the back-and-forth over his admission because of his hairstyle,” she said.
UPSA male students warned over stalking ladies
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the University of Professional Studies, Accra, cautioned male students to be respectful in their interactions with female learners on campus.
In a video that went viral, a member of the UPSA management cautioned that male students whose advances are rejected by female colleagues should respect the lady's will and refrain from being forceful or stalking them.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
