UNIVERSITY OF GHANA TO BLOCK ACCESS ROUTES TO THE PUBLIC

The University of Ghana will close all access
routes into its campus to the public with the
exception of the entrance from the Okponglo
intersection.
According to the University, “it cannot support
academic work with the needed environment
when 16,000 vehicles travel through its Legon
campus every day, creating significant
congestion at crucial times as well as posing
safety and security challenges for members of
the university community, especially our
students.’’
A statement signed by the Registrar of the
University indicated that the new directive will
take effective from 15th March 2014.
The statement explained that “the Stadium Road
entrance [Okponglo intersection] to the University
is, for the time being, designated the main
entrance to the University. It will remain open 24
hours a day to the general public. Members of
the general public seeking to enter the University
campus for any reason are advised to use this
entry point.’’
‘’All other entry points, including the one at the
Link Gate on the road from Achimota and on the
Annie Jiagge Road Extension from Haatso, will
not open to the general public. They will,
however, open for persons who have been pre-
approved by University Management. Typically
persons who have been pre-approved will be
provided with a “UG Sticker” to display on their
vehicle windscreen. Vehicles with a “UG Sticker”
may enter and exit the campus from any of the
designated points,’’ the statement further added.
The University also stated that it is taking ‘’steps
to work with Government to provide appropriate
alternative routes for the use of motorists who
have no legitimate business on the campus.’’
Below is the full statement signed by the
Registrar of the University of Ghana, Mercy
Haizel-Ashia

STATEMENT ON PUBLIC ACCESS TO LEGON
CAMPUS
Preamble
The University of Ghana is committed to
improving and protecting its facilities and
physical assets as part of a larger programme to
enhance the quality of its products. The object is
to re-establish and maintain a serene
atmosphere that is conducive to academic work,
including teaching and research. The University
cannot support academic work with the needed
environment when 16,000 vehicles travel through
its Legon campus every day, creating significant
congestion at crucial times as well as posing
safety and security challenges for members of
the university community, especially our
students.
Mindful, however, of the inconvenience
restrictions on the use of campus roads may
impose on neighbouring communities, the
University has taken steps to work with
Government to provide appropriate alternative
routes for the use of motorists who have no
legitimate business on the campus. University of
Ghana is taking steps to enforce already existing
restrictions in the use of its roads as public
thoroughfare. It is important to note that
University of Ghana has always been and
remains private property even though it is
publicly owned.
The general public is hereby advised to take note
of the following directives on access to Legon
Campus, with effect from 5.00 a.m. on Saturday,
15th March 2014.
Directives on Access
1. The Stadium Road entrance (Okponglo
Junction) to the University is, for the time being,
designated the main entrance to the University.
It will remain open 24 hours a day to the general
public. Members of the general public seeking to
enter the University campus for any reason are
advised to use this entry point.
2. Vehicles entering the University by the
Stadium Road will be required to exit the campus
by the same road.
3. All other entry points, including the one at
the Link Gate on the road from Achimota and on
the Annie Jiagge Road Extension from Haatso,
will not open to the general public. They will,
however, open for persons who have been pre-
approved by University Management. Typically
persons who have been pre-approved will be
provided with a “UG Sticker” to display on their
vehicle windscreen. Vehicles with a “UG Sticker”
may enter and exit the campus from any of the
designated points.
4. Members of the general public who wish to
be considered for a “UG Sticker” may submit an
application to the Director of Physical
Development and Municipal Services.
5. Vehicles without a 2014 “UG Sticker” will
not be permitted to exit the campus from any
other point except the Stadium Road.
6. All persons who were issued with various
“UG Stickers” in 2014, when the University
applied a user charge to all vehicles entering the
campus, are to note that these will remain valid
until they are replaced with new stickers by the
University.
7. All commercial vehicles (except those
belonging to the two transport unions that have
registered with the University) may enter and exit
the campus only through the Stadium Road.
8. With the exception of the Stadium Road
entrance, all other entry and exit points will be
shut at midnight and be opened at 5.00 a.m.
daily, as has been the practice.
9. The University will start a campus shuttle
bus service for its staff and students shortly.
The University appeals for the understanding and
cooperation of members of the community.
Mercy Haizel-Ashia
REGISTRAR
 -OHENEBA ASIEDU-
 TACTICAL DIPLOMACY!!!!

TRIBUTE TO H.E NELSON MANDELA (FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA) BY THE NATIONAL UNION OF GHANA STUDENTS

　

A life well lived a man so blessed. A son so adored and a figure so cherished. To sing to the tune of Abraham Maslow will be to call you the self actualised man of the century.

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and the entire Ghanaian students both resident and abroad have been rocked with utter sorrow hearing the demise of His Excellency Nelson Mandela (Former President of the Republic of South Africa).

But we take consolation in the fact that Madiba, as affectionately called' lived his life championing the freedom and development of not only the South African people but the entire African continent particularly the youth. HIS LOSS HAS CAUSED THE ENTIRE CONTINENT TO STAND STILL. He stood for equality of rights of all manner of persons including students, of which the Ghanaian student was no different, and once stated that
"Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another."

It is not surprising that his (Madiba) life was blessed with several accolades including the Nobel Peace Prize award he received in 1993 and the over 52 honorary degrees from academic and professional institutions across the globe. We are sad because we have indeed lost an incomparable treasure in the social and political history of the African continent. NUGS sympathizes with the good people of South Africa in this time of lost.

We wish to encourage all Ghanaian students to use this moment of loss to reflect on his ideals and values for humanity, particularly the youth, and internalize these ideals in our lives in our aspiration to replicate his greatness. He said “Young people must take it upon themselves to ensure that they receive the highest education possible so that they can represent us well in future as future leaders.”
The world has lost; Africa has lost; Ghanaian students have lost.
Rest well son of Africa, Rest well Teacher, and Rest well Grandpa, Rest well from your toilsome labour for humanity,
We shall always keep you in the deepest part of our hearts.
Adieu Madiba.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Press and Info. Sec.
 (Raymond Ayilu Kwojori)
           0240383605 
International Relations Sec.
(Nana Benyin Enninful)
    0205189279

           President
(Samuel Dakwa Binfoh)
0208499214
TO: SOUTH AFRICA HIGH COMMISSION, GHANA
 

 

(updated by P.D. Orchill)

APPRECIATION by AASU

Dear Summit Participants ,
On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I am pleased to say thank you to each of you who attended the 3rd Africa Students and Youth Summit which took place in Accra, Ghana from August 27 to September 1, 2013. We appreciate you for taking the time and effort to be here to be part of a gathering that sought chart a sustainable course for Africa's Development.

We also thank you for your participation and sharing your ideas and experiences.

We certainly hope that the Summit has been all that you expected it to be and that you have taken the opportunity to make new friends and renew old acquaintances from all over Africa.

Our objective for this year's summit was to build on the achievements of the previous years' with this year’s ultimate goal being to learn what we can do to achieve a better Africa. We accomplished this, by setting an agenda to support African development through continuous interaction and partnership with the African Union (AU) to build a prosperous and peaceful Africa.

I sincerely believe we have been successful in this endeavour.

If we have been successful, I will recommend that we take all the things we have learned back home with you and positively impact your communities, universities and workplaces.

The maiden Africa Education and Leadership Awards Ceremony was a truly historic moment of the Summit. Personalities and institutions that had distinguished themselves in their areas of endeavour to uplift Africa from its current predicaments were honoured.
I am hopeful that this initiative will inspire you to contribute passionately towards ridding our continent of the present evils that plaque it. We will continually monitor to identify next year's nominee's.
Once again, please accept my warmest compliments.

Looking forward to seeing you at next year's Summit, which I believe will be a ten-fold magnificent experience.

I can't wait.

Kind Regards,

Awaah Fred
Secretary General
(Head of Mission)

M: +233243101626
E: secgen@aasuonline.org

PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE BLOC HEADS OF NUGS ON THE NUGS AWARDS SLATED FOR THE 11TH OF OCTOBER, 2013.

The National Union of Ghana Students component blocs made of up GRASAG, TTAG, USAG, GUPS and the Regional
SRCs have taken note of a press statement issued by the National President of NUGS and General Secretary where it stated among other things that NUGS awards Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo as Ghana’s statesman of the decade. 

According to article 27,28 and 29 of the constitution of NUGS, the presidents of the bloc and or their representatives are
members of the National Executive Committee in addition to other National Officers. For NEC to take a decision, a quorum consisting of the National President and 6 other members of NEC must be established.
 

In deciding to embark on this award, the structure of the union has not been followed. The position of the bloc heads have
been ignored in several decisions in running the affairs of the union. Not all members of NEC have been consulted in planning this award scheduled to take place at the Erata Hotel, Accra. The bloc heads are not aware of the formation of the committee to plan this awards night and have not been consulted in the selection process of the awardees.
 

The position of the President and the Secretary as issued in their press release of 2nd October, 2013 makes it sound that it is the leadership of NUGS that has decided to award Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo. In as much as all students in Ghana and Ghanaians acknowledge the crucial role of Nana Akuffo –Addo in the democratic dispensation of Ghana and possibly deserves to be awarded, we want to let the nation know that we do not have anything against the accolades that have been used to describe Nana Akuffo –Addo. All we want is that the right structures must be followed.
 

In the Election Petition, there were other petitioners who are equally worthy of praise. The respondents played a vital role as well. All Ghanaians helped the process. We are all happy about the reforms this petitions will bring to the electoral commission and how elections are conducted in Ghana. We will not support any action that will polarise the front of Ghanaian students.

The bloc Heads of NUGS are not aware of the criteria used in selection of the awardees. There is the need for a broader consultation with all stakeholders in NUGS for such an award to be deemed as representing the views of Ghanaian students. The bloc heads have been in several dialogues and mediation roles between the Steering Committee and the National Officers to ensure a successful emergency congress and election of officers. There is the need for funds to ensure that elections happen. We are not aware of the financial position of the union and sponsors such as RLG and Coca Cola must support student programmes but care must be taken to ensure there is transparency in student governance in
Ghana.

The Union must attend to urgent issues to salvage the image and representation of the Ghanaian student. The emergency congress and the election of National officers is the urgent item that we must all consider. We will be glad to have the National Officers organise this awards night with adequate consultation with the structure of NUGS and with adequate respect to the Constitution of NUGS. We propose a good consultation in selection of awardees, and an awards night that will culminate with a handing over ceremony to save the resources of the union. Ghanaian students understand and we are all not happy with the current increase in utilities. But we do not endorse the purported demonstration of the PPP and there has not been a consensus to have Ghanaian students to embark on a demonstration or support PPP.
 

We want to use this opportunity to call on all stakeholders of NUGS to join us in our attempt to reposition NUGS as a
formidable student group that seeks to advance the course of students at all times
 

Long live NUGS
Long live Ghana
 

      (Signed:)
Asiwome Kodjo Tsamenyi (GRASAG National President, 0244435869)
Steve Kubate Salifu (GUPS President, 0247648864)
Comrade S A Karim (USAG General Secretary, 0242025745)
Yakubu T. Yusuf (President, NAHSAG, 0261810046)
Seidu Ahmed ( TTAG National Coordinating Secretary, 0241492252)

KNUST Speaker Congratulates Freshmen on their Matriculation

On behalf of the leadership and honorable members of KNUST students' parliament House, I congratulate all freshmen now first years on their matriculation.

...OUR MESSAGE TO YOU...
The journey has just begun. you can make and unmake yourself. Be wise in your dealings.
In acquiring skills and knowledge to achieve academic excellence, do not forget to network . Sometimes, what you know does not matter, but whom you know. Create links!

Finally, remember that there are millions of people awaiting you to solve their numerous problems with your exquisite skills and knowledge which will be earned here (KNUST). Therefore, study very hard and as you solve their problems, they will bless you; your parents will be proud of you; you will be fulfilled, and God, your maker, beaming with smiles and beating his chest, will say 'I MADE IT', because your purpose for your being would have been fulfilled.
We wish you a successful semester and do not forget to participate in our programs. 

DEMOCRACY IN ACADEMIC FREEDOM
God bless!
    (signed)
Rt. Hon. Dorcas Osei-Boateng
Speaker, KNUST students' parliament — at Brunei, KNUST.

NUGS TO AWARD NANA ADDO DANQUAH AKUFO-ADDO AS GHANA’S STATEMAN OF THE DECADE – PRESS STATEMENT OF NUGS ON 2ND OCTOBER, 2013

The National Union of Ghana Students has played an enviable role in the democratic dispensation of this country and recognizes its responsibility to conscientize the nation on the virtues of productive citizenry.

In this respect, we the Ghanaian students actively witnessed the height of the test of the Ghanaian Judicial Service with the recent election petition case brought forward by Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.

The petition exposed enormously the inequities in our electoral process which likely affected the individual and collective will of the Ghanaian people at the polls. The petition also provided a sustainable framework to settle disputes sparked out of Presidential Elections in Ghana.

The then candidate, Akufo-Addo resisted the character assassination by his political detractors and with stoicism demonstrated his intense affinity to the democracy he fought for during the dictatorial era of coup d'états and finally the selfless contribution of same in the promulgation of the 1992 constitutional democratic process. He accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court in good faith and encouraged the Ghanaian people to endeavor to a path that builds.

On the 11th of October at Erata Hotel, we welcome the good conscience of the Ghanaian people to join the students of Ghana to confer on Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, the highest award of the students of Ghana in the 47-year history of NUGS.

We are hopeful that there is more for him to contribute to the Ghanaian people and the coming years offer enough avenue for him to contribute his quota in the development and governance of Ghana. NUGS wishes him well.

NUGS through this medium also calls on Government to relinquish the burden imposed on students by the recent rise in utility prices and also water especially at the time that the economy seems to be in a bad shape. We therefore endorse the demonstration of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) to drum home the demand in cutting these unfavorable prices hikes.

Signed
Andrews Kofi Gyan Louisa Atta-Agyemang
(NUGS President) (NUGS General Secretary)
0247990093 0241967709

Source: http://www.spyghana.com/akufo-addo-awarded-nugs/

NATIONAL UNION OF GHANA STUDENTS JUDICIAL BOARD PRESS STATEMENT, ACCRA SEPTEMBER 30,2013

The JUDICIAL BOARD of NUGS wishes to inform all stakeholders that National Officers are relentlessly preparing for an emergency congress in the shortest possible time and must hold on to their steadfast loyalty to our great union.
The scuffles,misunderstandings, among others which characterized our 47th annual residential congress of NUGS hosted by Central Uni. College brought the event to an abrupt end. The court injunction which came to a close on September 26, 2013 aggravated the situation, prolonging an emergency congress which everybody hoped and still hopes to witness and or partake.

Article 57 (a,b and c) of NUGS constitution promulgated in 2008 states that: The Judicial Board shall have jurisdiction in
(a) All matters relating to the enforcement or interpretation of this constitution
(b) All matters arising as to whether a resolution was made or authority has acted in excess of the powers conferred on it by this constitution or any other provisions made there under
(c) All matters relating to elections under this constitution. 

Therefore the Judicial Board has ordered that the National Officers take full responsibility of all preparations for an emergency congress as managers of our resources.
The date, venue and any other thing that would make the emergency congress a reality within the shortest possible time must be communicated to member institutions in order not to push delegates, students and the various SRC’s into any form of academic inconveniences since academic work has begun on all campuses.
The Board also wishes to inform member institutions that it is erroneous and a total violation in this situation for anybody or a group of students to organize an emergency congress.

Besides, Article 17 (a and b) states that
(a) There shall be a last CC meeting as the first activity of congress
(b) A steering committee shall be formed after the meeting supra to oversee congress.
In this case the steering committee does not organize congress. All pre-arrangements of congress must be done by National Officers, so that when the date is due, steering committee comes in to oversee the conduct of congress with the help of the National Officers.

The Judicial Board wishes to state categorically that it is unconstitutional for any individual or group of persons apart from the incumbent NUGS Executive members to organize any form of congress under the NUGS 2008 constitution.
The Judicial Board would resort to any legal means to enforce its interpretations and rulings if anybody fails to live up to the aforementioned. Thank you.

Signed

Elijah Adansi-Bonah
(Chief Justice & Judicial Board Chairman)