The online petition started by some lecturers of the University of Ghana to get the statue of Mahatma Gandhi removed has received 1667 signatories so far.

The petition has seen people from various walks of life and different countries signing it and making some remarks in the comments section.

Academics at the University of Ghana are demanding a statue of "racist" Gandhi be pulled down.

Professor of African and Gender Studies at the University of Ghana, Akosua Adomako Ampofo, Dr Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, and Dr Ọbádélé Kambon, a research fellow and Editor-in-Chief of the Ghana Journal of Linguistics wrote the petition.

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Meanwhile, the University of Ghana has indicated that it will consider the petition being signed by some lecturers and students of the institution if they present it to the members of the University of Ghana Council.

Director of Public Affairs at the University Mrs Stella Amoa explained that the university is an academic community that encourages intellectual debates.

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“I’m sure when it gets to the University Council, they would look at it in line with the arguments that they would put forward and then they would decide what to do.”

Amoa promised that the University authorities will not victimise any member of their community who signs the petition.

The statue was erected on June 14 this year at the recreational quadrangle; it was donated by India's president Pranab Mukherjee when he visited the campus.

Since then there has been agitation from many students, alumni and Ghanaians over the statue being on campus.