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)

Ghana’s future left in the dirty hands of student politics?

Sometimes, I sit down and ponder on the future of Ghana and Africa. We always say, the YOUTH ARE THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY. Is that wholly true? To me, the question is not about whether we are the ‘future’ or the ‘now’ of our country. But it’s a question of preparedness. Are our youth prepared to take up the challenge of the future?

The unanimous answer is always YES! The youth are ready.  And I agree. We are ready because there is not so much to learn and to apply at the top there. Most of us today, know already how to skin 20%, off a contract. We already know how to divert communal/public funds into our private accounts. We already know the dirty ways of ‘playing the political game and winning the votes of the people.

This is what STUDENT LEADERSHIP in Ghana has grown to become. Know how to convince the people and win their votes, even if it means buying it from them and reimbursing yourself with the communal funds upon wining power. Youth leaders or particularly, we the STUDENT LEADERS already know how to bloat budgets. It’s a sad reality for us.  The dirty remnants of our national politics have crept into youth leadership.
Government seems to lack a clear policy direction on YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT. LEADERSHIP TRAINING, YES! AND I MEAN LEADERSHIP TRAINING. The whole process seems to have been left at the mercy of STUDENT POLITICS. And it sounds interesting how every STUDENT LEADER LEAVES OFFICE WITH A FUTURE AMBITION OF CONTESTING FOR MP IN THEIR CONSTITUENCIES and we achieve it, in most cases-except where the old gurus are yet to retire, at most by 2016. To me, the greatest punishment successive governments of Ghana have inflicted upon the development prospects of Ghana is to have left LEADERSHIP TRAINING in the hands of STUDENT POLITICS on campuses and at CONGRESSES. The least said about the Congresses, the better. Because in the end, we all claim, ‘JACK! THE STUDENT POLITICS IS NOT ANY DIFFERENT FROM THE NATIONALPOLITICS.  IT’S EVEN TOUGHER DOWN HERE’. How sad.

I believe, moving forward as a nation, Government should set up a clear institution for LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR THE YOUTH, whether incorporated in the academic curriculum as an extracurricular activity or outside of it. It should focus on helping the youth understand the ever-expanding CIVIL SOCIETY, GLOBALIZATION, THIRD PARTY GROUPS LIKE NGOS AND CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS, their intended and unintended consequences on development.  Africa should channel resources into helping current youth/student leaders understand the roles we can play in our quest to attain the MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS and fighting CLIMATE CHANGE. These are the tasks of our generation.

It is for these reasons that the US Department of State and other advanced countries commit up to $232million to building the leadership capacities of our youth through their various cultural-exchange programmes like the FULLBRIGHT Scholarship, YES (Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study ), IVLP  (International Visitor Leadership Program), IMET, Peace Corps, PPAP,  etc.  I believe government should shift emphasis to these paths as ways of securing the development of our country because indeed, STUDENT POLITICS, since the return to democracy, from 1992 has failed as woefully, as a nation and I say it again woefully without fear or favour.

The writer, AHMED SALIM NUHU, is the current president of the College of Art and Social Sciences Students’ Council, KNUST.

Source: http://www.myjcr.com/articles/opinions/ghanas-future-left-in-the-dirty-hands-of-student-politics-770

47TH NUGS CONGRESS BEGINS IN PRAMPRAM

A former Ghanaian Diplomat and Columnist, Dr. K.B. Asante has challenged Ghanaian students to use the unique opportunity they have as students to think of relevant ways of solving the myriad of problems Ghana is facing. He expressed worry about the essence of certain courses being offered in the various Universities and the impact they have on students' skills development.

Dr. Asante, who is a columnist with Daily Graphic, said this during a short ceremony to begin the 47th National Union of Ghana Students' Congress today in Prampram.

The Congress, which spans from 24th to 26th August 2013 is under the theme; "NUGS: A RELIABLE PARTNER FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT". It has brought together over 800 student leaders from across the country to the Campus of Central University in Prampram.It will offer these student leaders the platform to debate pertinent issues bordering the welfare of Ghanaian Students: hear from speakers and experts in tassel meetings and finally elect new leaders to carry on the leadership mantle.

Professor Kwesi Yankah, President of the Central University urged the students/delegates to have the will to dream and make them become realities to better society. 

The NUGS President, Andrew Kofi Gyan was impressed with the coordination of mechanisms within NUGS in ensuring that his administration run devoid of factions and conflicts which often retards progress. Kofi Gyan used the occasion to advise students to respect the August 29th Verdict when it is declared by the Supreme Court.

The ceremony was officially used to launch the Ghana Student Discount Card; an initiative by NUGS which will see student holders buying products in some selected shops at a very good discounted rates.
President of the National Union of Students, UK, Toni Pearce, who launched the Discount Card commended her Ghanaian counterparts for such a wonderful initiative. She promised to partner NUGS to embark on certain projects which will be of benefits to students in both country-UK & Ghana.

For more updates, Stay tuned to NUGS NEWS DESK!! We have our correspondents on the field working to keep you posted.

“Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta!”

NUGS ON INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

It was On 17 December 1998 that the UN General Assembly based on a recommendation by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth decided that 12 August is declared International Youth Day. This year, the theme for the Celebration   is "Youth Migration: Moving Development forward." 

We as Ghanaian youth in solidarity with the UN also wish to acknowledge the contribution of youth migrants into and out of  our country to the development of mother Ghana. Fortunately, our brothers and sisters who migrate to other countries do remit some of their hard earned resources into our country and are therefore a major contributor to the development of mother Ghana. On the other hand, in as much as some foreign immigrants are contributing their quota to our economic development, others are engaged  in so many illegal activities that militate the development of Mother  Ghana, such activities includes illegal mining which has become a matter of  National Concern and the menace caused by Fulani Herdsmen. 

As part of our solemn observation of this day, we wish to admonish all Ghanaian youth that we are one family, and we need each other now more than ever. Therefore, let us all assume that our mother Ghana is pregnant at the Supreme Court and so if she gives birth to NPP or NDC, we should all in the spirit of solidarity accept our sibling and live together in the peace that generations have guarded with their lives.

Again, we implore the Supreme Court to ensure that JUSTICE is served.

Finally, our advice to the government of this country is that the implementation plan for the National Youth Policy is long overdue and we  wish to see more of the commitment of government in achieving the goals that have been set out by the policy for the development of our country, these are days of peace and so our words are for peace but this is very important to us.

To our colleague youth, the development of mother Ghana depends on our actions today, so let’s come together as one and insist on what is due as peacefully.

Long Live Ghana

Long Live the Youth of Mother Ghana

Long Live Justice and Peace loving Citizens of Ghana

Thank you.

(Signed)                                                                                                                                              

P.D. Orchill

NUGS Rep. to the National Youth Authority Board

(0201114068/0203244855)

Seth Odame-Mensah

International Relations Secretary

(0546133402)

Daniel Blaise Annan

USAG Information and International Relations Secretary (Elect)

(0245514943)

UTAG Begins Strike Today Despite Gov’t Assurance

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

Despite an emergency meeting on Wednesday evening between the leadership of UTAG and the fair wages and salaries commission, The University Teachers Association of Ghana are starting an indefinite strike today.  

 In an interview with journalist, President of the University Teachers Association, Dr Anthony Simons indicated that they will not allow themselves to be taken for granted any longer. We are demanding payment of arrears and other allowances and until that is done we are not going back to the class he noted.  

 UTAG had gone on strike earlier this year but suspended it after promises by the Government to resolve the Teachers’ grievances.   An emergency meeting held Wednesday night with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) failed to avert the strike.   

 Deputy Minister in charge of tertiary education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has however assured the university teachers their outstanding premiums will be settled by Friday.  

CREDIT: Ghananewslink.com

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.

GUPS CONGRESS 2013

We bring you greetings from the National Secretariat of the Union.The National Executive Council is humbly by this notice inviting you to the Annual Residential  Delegates’ Congress 2013, on the 17th to 21st 0f July, 2013 at the University Of Energy And Natural Resources, Sunyani.

The theme for the congress is “SUSTAINING UNITY THE ROLE OF THE PROFESSIONAL”Capitation is 100 Ghana cedis per student.Arrival is 17th July, 2013 at 4:00pm. Let's try as much as possible to avoid lateness.

As per the constitution, every institution is required to present 15 delegates and 5 observers.Also, note that for institutions to participate fully in congress as well as have eligible candidates to contest elections they must have paid their dues for the 2012/2013 year, capitation and all arrears owned the union.

Accommodation and feeding will be catered for except that participants will be responsible for providing their own bed sheets and basic things like cup spoons and bowls for any unforeseen circumstance.Institutions are advised to bring cloth and shirts that will help identify their institutions for proposed programmes.Furthermore, every institution should bring a participant for the face of GUPS competition on details which are attached to this letter.

We would be counting on your usual co-operation and we wish you a safe journey to Sunyani. Thank youYours faithfully

TWUMASI .K. GYAMFI
(CO-ORDINATING SECRETARY) 

MICHAEL PAA QUECY A. ADU
(NATIONAL PRESIDENT)

Accountability in Student Leadership

The National Union of Ghana Students of old, has contributed immensely to the Educational, Political, social, and Economic development of Ghana. The contribution of NUGS to the development of mother Ghana is so great so that the history of Ghana cannot be written without mention of NUGS. In addition, almost all Leaders of this country have passed through the mills of NUGS knowingly or unknowingly. And so the Accountability of NUGS affects not only the student fraternity of Ghana, Africa and the World but also to our National and International Politics. Currently, the Secretary General of the All African Students Union (AASU) is from NUGS, A great number of our Ministers of State have drunk from the big breast of NUGS, Innovations like the GETFund, The Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) and other very important political reforms have been machinated by the Union, and so there is a need to ensure that NUGS will work again

The Discipleship tools define accountability as a check and balance system to protect us from harm from ourselves and others. We do this by being open to what we are thinking and doing so we can receive encouragement and reproof, when needed.

TYPES OF ACCOUNTABILITY·         Christian Accountability·         Political Accountability·         Ethical Accountability (Within a corporate organization)·         Administrative Accountability (For Civil Servants)·         Individual Accountability in Organizations·         Academic/Educational Accountability (For Students, Parents and School Authorities)·         Financial Accountability·         Social Accountability, etc.

Today, I want to sum all these into what I prefer to call Leadership Accountability, which is a mechanism put in place voluntarily to render to the people we serve, the product of the services rendered to them, the need to continue or discontinue the rendering of such services, and take the necessary corrective measures which is referred to in management as Controlling.

REASONS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

1.       Lightens the load. You will still have to do the work, but you'll have someone to help with the mental and emotional struggles. That is a major benefit because some of the biggest challenges reside in your thoughts and feelings. A good accountability partner will understand yet inspire you to overcome difficulties.
2.      Keeps you on track. When you have a form of accountability then it is easier to stay on task with your work. If you report back to your accountability partner with the wrong type of results he will see that. He can make you aware of the discrepancies so that you can make the necessary adjustments. We tend to get so deep into our work that we don't see when we have strayed off track. An accountability partner is more removed from the fray. It is easier for him to recount what your original intentions were in order to keep you on target.3.      Compels you to honor your word. Having accountability forces you to do what you said you were going to do. It gives you a reason to do the daily tasks that your goal requires. Just knowing that you are going to report to someone is enough to make us keep at until we get the work done. We don't want to say, "I know I told you I was going to do this but I did not do it." If we know we are going to be held accountable then we do it. We don't let ourselves off the hook. We know that there is someone else involved and we don't want to let them down. (Anthony D. Carter)4.      For Rewards and Punishments. Accountability is holding that person's actions up for inspection and, if they are found to be "out of line" as regards what is allowed, then that person is subject to penalties for those actions that were outside the law, and if they have performed creditably well, then rewards may be given.

WHAT ROLE SHOULD NUGS PLAY IN ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY

By reason of brevity, I we shall discuss four (4) important issues in ensuring accountability in our beloved student fraternity.1.      Selection of Leadership2.      Administration3.      Policies4.      Education and Training

1.      LEADERSHIP

Fortunately, the leadership of NUGS is elected by student leaders who have been carefully elected or appointed in accordance with local campus constitutions by respected students at the Tertiary and Secondary levels respectively. This should have reflected a very intellectual electoral college who should be able to interrogate candidates and choose the best of the best, who have been tried, tested, and approved by different levels of our student leadership ladder and proven to be competent and efficient in the discharge of the immense workload of student leadership in Ghana.However Mr. Chairman, permit me to say that, for some time now, I have been continuously disappointed by the quality of personnel elected by student leaders in Ghana to handle the affairs of NUGS. It is disappointing to see Ghanaian students needing help all over the world and having no strong leaders or strong institution in NUGS to stand firm and fight the defense of the defenseless. However, there have been some exceptional leaders who in my opinion, have been exceptional in the discharge of their duties as student leaders.The fact is if the personnel elected/appointed to handle the mantle of student leadership are not of the required ‘quality’ then getting the work done efficiently and effectively will become a herculean task.I believe that, the first agent of accountability for student leadership is the one who has the power to vote. Therefore, dear future leaders, and partners to national development, when you go to the pools to vote leaders for our beloved NUGS as well as SRC, Local NUGS, or Hall executives; do not be blinded by petty-partisan-pleasures, or of family, old school associations, or campus of affiliation, but rather, the competence of the personnel must come first, so that in case aspirants have the same level of competence, then these considerations may be made.

2.      ADMINISTRATION

NUGS should be able to lead the national student front by example, in this regard; there is a need to run NUGS as a professional organization rather than an association of boys and girls having fun. By this, I mean;1.      NUGS must have an office administrator to see to the day-to-day running of the Union whose office should be under the authority of the coordinating secretary; since NUGS is a going concern. Since I came to NUGS we have always had issues with the handing over of adequate documentation to ensure continuity and so we always have to start from the scratch again2.      There should be a properly trained Accountant in Business to supervise or support the professional preparation of financial  accounts to meet international standards, and that could help NUGS in attracting international sponsorship3.      There should also be a professional accountant in practice (An auditor) either external or internal to supervise the annual audit board to professionally audit the accounts of NUGS.4.      Also, in addition to national officers, there should also be appointed other leaders (For National Service for other offices like)a.       A Research Directorate, to be headed by a professional researcher as Research Directorb.      Transport officer to handle our transportation issuesc.       Accommodation officer to be in charge of a successive agenda to getting a permanent office and accommodation for National officers, when they are on national duty.d.      Director for Early Childhood Educatione.       Director for Basic Educationf.       Director for Secondary Educationg.      Director for Tertiary Education to coordinate the affairs of GUPS, USAG, ‘GNUPS’ PUSAG, and other relevant student groups in Ghanah.      Director for international education, for students on international scholarshipi.        Director for Public Affairs who shall act as director for the Press and Information Secretary who is the Minister for Communication for NUGSWhen this done, then we can convince corporate Ghana as well as other players in academia that we are poised as a strong institution and serve as an example to the Ghanaian student leadership fraternity.

3.      POLICIES

The following policies must also be put in place to ensure that the Union is standing on its good feet1.      The financial procedures manual must be updated, and as part of the manual, member institutions must present to NUGS every year its budget/financial statement at the beginning and close of the year to be certified by the appropriate School authority. When this is done, the issue as to overstating or understating the number of students will be a thing of the past and so the calculation of dues will become easy.2.      A resolution must be passed by member institutions in Good Standing whose dues pass through the school authorities to permit NUGS to receive their dues from source that is from the University itself. This will ensure that the Union is financially sound to undertake its obligations.3.      National Officers should insist that officers on National Service must be posted to NUGS because the workload is very high and requires full time officers to perform.

4.      EDUCATION AND TRAINING

NUGS should organize accountability and leadership workshops regularly for students and student leaders to enhance the quality of personnel in order to ensure accountability in the National student front.

CONCLUSION

Just like an independent state, students in Ghana have given their sovereignty to NUGS, therefore ensuring accountability in the student front, shaping student leaders across the country to become better partners to national development should be a priority for NUGS. There is a need for NUGS to restructure, and prepare herself for the modern day global economy. I believe that the days of ‘aluta’ are long gone, and these days, the use of professional administrative skills is what aids the governance of any group; but it looks like NUGS has not metamorphosed to the current trend of doing things. I believe that for NUGS to remain relevant for a foreseeable future period, and not become a useless entity in three years, meticulous steps towards a proper administered NUGS must be taken.

Thank You.

Orchill Prince DavidNUGS Representative to the National Youth Authority Board0249774457/0203244855nationalunionofghanastudents@gmail.com