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Introduction
A brief student-staff encounter at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has sparked a nationwide debate on the limits of institutional discipline and the inviolability of personal dignity. In a video that went viral on July 2, 2025, a Level 100 student is seen being publicly rebuked—and physically dragged—by a member of UPSA’s Dress Code Compliance Team for her alleged “indecent dressing.”
The footage shattered the usual calm of the Madina campus. It prompted swift apologies from university management, calls for policy reform by the Private Universities Students Association of Ghana (PUSAG), and warnings from legal experts about potential breaches of constitutionally guaranteed rights.
This explainer unpacks the incident, the rules it invoked, and the broader implications for student rights, campus culture, and Ghanaian law.
UPSA’s warning on enforcing a strict dress code for students starting July 1, 2025
The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) announced a renewed crackdown on indecent dressing among students, with strict enforcement of its dress code policy set to begin on July 1, 2025. The directive, issued by the Office of the Dean of Students, comes amid growing concerns about inappropriate attire on campus, particularly during lectures. In a memorandum addressed to all UPSA students, the Dean of Students emphasised that the university’s dress code policy has not changed and will be “strictly adhered to.” Students are reminded to familiarise themselves with the dress code provisions outlined in the Undergraduate Students’ Handbook, 2018, available on the university’s website.
Task Force to Enforce Compliance
Starting July 1, a dedicated task force was stationed at strategic locations across the campus to ensure compliance with the dress code. The move aimed to “bring sanity to campus” and uphold the university’s standards of professionalism.
Prohibited Attire and Grooming
The memo warns explicitly that students will not be allowed into lecture halls if they are found wearing or displaying the following:
- Unkempt hair
- Shorts
- Bathroom slippers
- Tracksuits
- Anklets
- Nose rings
- Other forms of attire or accessories deemed inappropriate
The university reiterated its commitment to its core mantra: “Scholarship with Professionalism.” The Dean of Students urged all students to maintain decorum and dress appropriately, reinforcing the institution’s reputation for discipline and academic excellence.
The Viral Video Incident
On July 2, 2025, social media platforms were flooded with footage of a student at UPSA’s Madina campus being confronted by staff over her clothing. In the clip, the staff member physically shoves the student while admonishing her for “indecent dressing,” prompting widespread outrage and sympathy for the student.
UPSA’s public response issued the next day, apologised for the staff’s conduct, condemned the behaviour as “unacceptable,” and promised to review enforcement protocols and provide additional training to its Dress Code Compliance Team. UPSA emphasised that “no staff member has the right to mistreat any student under any circumstances” and reaffirmed its commitment to “respect, dignity, and service” on campus.
Black Sherif’s old UPSA dress‑code showdown resurfaces amid new campus row
Years before the recent viral clip, award-winning Ghanaian artist Black Sherif—then a UPSA student—found himself on the receiving end of the same dress code enforcer when he showed up to a lecture in oversized streetwear. According to campus lore, the lecturer stopped his class to personally escort Black Sherif out, insisting he return in “proper business‑casual” attire—a moment the rapper later laughed off in interviews (1:45) but which now underscores how rigid the rules have long been applied.
Student rights and PUSAG’s press release
The Private Universities Students Association of Ghana (PUSAG) swiftly weighed in, commending UPSA’s management for its prompt investigation but urging all institutions to safeguard student dignity. PUSAG cited Article 15(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees that “the dignity of all persons shall be inviolable,” and Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, affirming that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
PUSAG called for collective responsibility—students, parents, and universities—to uphold decency, integrity, and the dignity that defines Ghana’s heritage.
UPSA’s Dress Code Policy
UPSA’s Undergraduate Handbook (2018) lays out a detailed Dress and Grooming Policy (Section 1.32), defining acceptable business-casual attire for men and women, dress-down Fridays, and sanctions for violations. Key points:
- Regular Business Casual (Mondays–Thursdays): Neat, modest attire—no jeans, shorts above the knee, revealing tops, or casual T‑shirts.
- Dress‑Down Fridays: Clean, hemmed jeans or traditional wear with no holes or frays; only UPSA‑branded T‑shirts are permitted.
- Violations Procedure: Initial private counselling by a Head of Department, followed by written undertakings; repeat offenders face disciplinary action, including suspension.
While the policy aims to prepare students for professional environments, critics argue that its rigidity and enforcement methods risk demeaning students rather than educating them.
Vocal criticism from UPSA Lecturer Ishaq Ibrahim
UPSA lecturer Ishaq Ibrahim, speaking on Metro TV, recounted that during his lectures, he has “seen ladies’ panties and breasts” exposed in class—an observation he says speaks to a broader moral decline that the dress code seeks to address.
Legal Perspective: Due Process vs. Institutional Authority
Speaking to DUBAWA, Lawyer Gideon Nii Tettey Tetteh warned that heavy‑handed enforcement risks breaching students’ constitutional rights to dignity and due process. He noted that even where misconduct occurs, universities must follow fair procedures:
“Students must be informed of the specific rule they’re alleged to have broken, given a chance to explain, and allowed representation if they choose,” — echoing the Disciplinary Procedure outlined in UPSA’s handbook.
Under Article 21 of the 1992 Constitution, every person has the right to a fair and public hearing by an independent tribunal. Public dragging or shaming could be challenged as an arbitrary exercise of authority that undermines these protections.
Moving Forward: Reform and Respect
The “indecent dressing” fracas at UPSA has sparked calls for:
- Policy Review: A reassessment of the dress code’s rigidity and enforcement mechanisms to align with constitutional guarantees and modern sensibilities.
- Training & Dialogue: Enhanced staff training in conflict de‑escalation, student rights, and programmes that foster mutual understanding of professional standards.
- Student Engagement: Inclusion of student representatives in policy revisions—ensuring the code reflects evolving cultural norms without sacrificing institutional values.
Conclusion
The UPSA dress code controversy is a stark reminder that efforts to instil professionalism on campus must never override the fundamental right to human dignity enshrined in Ghana’s Constitution. While universities have a legitimate interest in preparing students for the workforce, enforcement mechanisms must be guided by respect, transparency, and due process. The swift responses from UPSA and PUSAG—and the legal advice from experts—highlight a growing consensus: proper education goes hand in hand with compassion and dialogue, not public humiliation. As UPSA reviews its policies and engages students in reform, the broader lesson for Ghana’s higher‑education sector is clear: upholding standards and preserving personal dignity are not mutually exclusive but mutually essential for nurturing the nation’s next generation of leaders.
