PRESS STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL UNION OF GHANA STUDENTS (NUGS) ON THE PROPOSED TAX ON PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN GHANA

We the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) in the spirit of solidarity with the Private University Students Association (PUSAG) wishes to bring to the notice of the Government of the Republic of Ghana that we do not, and shall not, in any way support the proposed Taxes to be paid by private universities in Ghana.

We in NUGS and the National Student fraternity believe that education is a right and not a privilege; and therefore any law that seeks to undermine, nullify, or invalidate this cornerstone on which our National Student fraternity is built shall be treated as an oppressors rule and fought with all our strength and with all our might.

This law will;

Increase the rate at which students drop out from school

Definitely reduce the about 26% of annual intake of applicants by the Private Universities

Lead to the retrenchment of Staff and hence increase the unemployment rate, leading to a high
 dependency ratio, with the possible negative effects attached.

It shall also motivate corruption in the Public Universities due to the high demand coupled with the fact that the private Universities are unaffordable.

It may also lead to the folding-up of most or some of the Private Universities which are churning out quality and not just quantity graduates annually.

Already, Private Universities get no subvention from government, nothing from the GetFund, and no regular support from government. Governments erroneously posit policy with the proprietors in mind with little or no recourse to the fact that we the students feel the burden of payment.

These notwithstanding, private students are expected to be nationalistic, sacrifice a year of our active working life for National Service which most private students see as “National Suffering” because if I spend close to GHs 8000 every year on my education, having collected so many bank loans at commercial rate, since I cannot access the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) and then after that I am paid about GHs 240.00 a month, whiles the job market require years of post national service working experience before I can get a well paid job to settle my debts;  then it is obvious that the economic pressure on the average private student is too high and this has to be checked well  before the situation gets out of hand.

It was for such foreseen circumstances that the framers of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana added among Educational Rights that there shall be no full cost recovery and yet, not only are private students paying full cost, but government is now seeking to add taxes to our already herculean financial challenge.

We are therefore imploring government to retract this harsh regulation before birth before we advice ourselves.

Long Live Ghana

Long Live NUGS

Long live all Ghanaian Students

Signed                                                  Signed                          signed
Louisa Atta- Agyemang                    Elias Zigah        Eugene Akom Damptey
Ag NUGS President                  PUSAG President        Educ. & Demo. Secretary
0241967709                                 0207975394                      0243286574                   

STEVE KUBATE IS GUPS PRESIDENT ELECT!

Steve Kubate Salifu-GUPS Prez Elect

Steve Kubate Salifu, a level 300 Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies Student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) has been elected as President of the Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS) for  the 2013/14 Academic Year. Steve obtained 105 out of the 153 total vote cast to beat his contender Solomon Seidu Gbelizean from JAYEE University College who had 48 votes. This happened in the just ended 11^th Delegates' Congress of the Union which was held at the University of Energy and Natural Resource in Sunyani.

In his victory speech, Steve called on candidates, both winners and unsuccessful to rally behind him to advocate and advance the developmental agenda of professional students in the Country. Steve among other things mentioned he would advocate for the amendment of the GETFUND Act to include private Universities as well as the upgrading of some Universities like National Film and Television Institute and School of Social Work. 

Prior to his election, Steve has been the President of GIJ’s Sutherland Hall, President of Institute of Public Relations-GIJ Chapter and a onetime Deputy Speaker of GIJ’s Students’ Parliament.

In the other portfolios, Eunice Mintah Young, a level 400 student of GIJ lost narrowly to her contender, Gertrude Adzo Borko of University of Professional Studies by 2 votes: Eunice had 77 votes whilst Gertrude had 79 votes.

Senyo Gladstone, Kwame Bonah, Fred Ansong, Nana Yaw Edusei and Gabson Gakpo were elected Press and Information Secretary, International Relations Officer, Treasurer, Financial Controller and Projects and Programmes Cordinator Respectively. These students stood unopposed.

The Women’s Commissioner Portfolio was keenly contested by Rachael Tutu of University of Professional Studies and Rachael Oforiwaa Arhin of Ghana Institute of Journalism. Rachael Arhin won with 95 votes whilst her opponent had 54 votes.

The Delegates Congress, which started on Wednesday 17^th July, brought together Eleven Professional Tertiary Institutions from across the country. Some of which were Zenith College, University of Development Studies, Institute of Business, Management and Journalism, and University College of Management Studies (Accra & Kumasi).  The Elections were generally described as peaceful.

Mean while, Candidate for Coordinating Secretary position, Emmanuel Blankson, was disqualified for his lack of knowledge of the GUPS Constitution and functions of a Coordinating Secretary.

Stay tuned as your authoritative tertiary Blog site will come your way with a detailed profile of the newly Elected Executives and the various policies they hope to implement to promote the welfare of students in Ghana.