UPSA enforces dress code as students are turned away for ‘indecent dressing’; administration defends policy

Several students at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), were turned away from class on Wednesday, July 2, by a university task force for what has been described as indecent dressing. The enforcement action, which sparked mixed reactions online, is part of renewed efforts by the university to uphold its dress code policy.

According to reports, affected students were instructed to return to their hostels or homes to change into what the university deems “appropriate” attire before being allowed back on campus. A student who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed being sent home and noted that others experienced the same.

While the university administration had not formally commented at the time of the incident, the Head of UPSA’s Marketing Department, Dr. Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid, later issued a statement responding to a viral video that captured the moment some students were turned away.

Dr. Abdul-Hamid said the video was recorded and circulated without authorisation and cautioned against drawing conclusions based on a single perspective. He confirmed that the university has launched an internal investigation into the incident.

“The University’s professional dress code is not arbitrary,” he stated. “It is rooted in a philosophy that prepares students for the real-world expectations of corporate Ghana and beyond.”

He stressed that the dress code, which has long been part of UPSA’s culture, is aimed at instilling professionalism, discipline, and integrity, values the institution considers essential to its brand. Many of its alumni, now serving in senior roles across various sectors, are said to have embraced these values during their time at UPSA.

Addressing public criticism, Dr. Abdul-Hamid acknowledged the evolving cultural attitudes among students, particularly with Generation Z’s more liberal approach to fashion and self-expression. However, he maintained that such expression must align with the university’s professional standards.

“We do not seek to suppress individuality,” he said, “but rather to harmonise personal expression with professional standards.”

He called on alumni, parents, employers, and the public to support the university’s efforts to maintain its professional identity, which he said is key to its reputation.

“UPSA is not just an academic institution,” Dr. Abdul-Hamid concluded. “It is a professional brand. And like any strong brand, it evolves with time but never loses sight of its core identity.”