2ND QUARTER SECRETARIAT REPORT 2014

2ND QUARTER SECRETARIAT REPORT 2014

1.0 Introduction

This report reflects the state of the Union from 30th November 2013 to 15th M arch 2014. It will therefore highlight oNUGS Presidents of these institutions are also appreciated for their roles played. Mr. Asiwome (GRASAG President) and Miss Zarina Amandi are also appreciated for facilitating the maiden jaw- jaw debate.

The coordinating team has been exceptional in their assignments and deserves recognition.

The report spots salient areas the union had focused on in the past three months. Summaries of the actuals are presented in this report. Acknowledgement is given to all who facilitated our migration to a peaceful united union.

The union has told its story and recognition is given to the fact that what unites us is greater than what divides us.

This report seeks to elaborate on the following: Court issues, Programs organized collaborations, media relations, meetings, upcoming programs and challenges.

Moving forward, it is our hope that the tireless efforts of National Secretariat will be appreciated. "Be thankful for what you have, you will end-up having more. If you concentrate on what on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough" Oprah Winfrey.

2.0 Court issues

National Secretariat wishes to inform all constituents that the long stretched court cases against the union have needed. The cases were thrown out of court on the basis of irrelevance.

2.1 Aftermath of court issues

National Secretariat recognized the divergent views that constituents expressed, so a reconciliatory move was initiated through visiting and attending programs organized by these constituents. Successes in this vein are well appreciated by National Secretariat.

It is the wish of National Secretariat that the move initiated will be appreciated and reciprocated to strengthen our Union. 

3.0 Programs 

This year has witnessed three programs organized by National Secretariat. These programs had the following complements; 

Educative

Great representative attendance

Good trait of dedication to the course of students

The Coordinating team was instrumental in the organization and facilitation of these programs.

3.1 Reproductive Health Seminar and Screening

This program was organized by Women's Commission of NUGS in partnership with Republic Hall of KNUST. In attendance; several Senior High schools constituting the Ashanti Regional SRC, UENR, UPSA, UCC, UG - CITY CAMPUS, GBUC, GIL- ACCRA, CSUC, NAFTI, UEW - K.

After a very educative seminar, screening was done for attendees. The focus was HIV/AIDS, Cervical cancer and Breast cancer. The women's commission for that matter; National Secretariat wish to show warm appreciation to Caleb Fugah (SRC President - KNUST) for his donation towards this program. Also KOFAS Media for the assistance with photography.

3.1.2 Hospital visitation

After a successful health program a delegation led by the NUGS President and Coordinating Secretary visited colleague students at the Okumfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. These colleagues are students from UDS - WA who suffered an accident on their way to school in a metro mass transport bus this semester. Acknowledgement is duly given UENR for providing fruits to be distributed to our colleagues and others at the hospital. 

3.2 Jaw - Jaw Debate

This quarter also witnessed the re - introduction of the NUGS Jaw - Jaw debates. The maiden debate was held on 15 February 2014 at University of Ghana Union building. Four institutions were engaged thus UPSA vs GIL - ACCRA and UG - City campus vs Zenith. UPSA and Zenith University College qualified to the next stage. Topic was "financing Tertiary education; a public or private responsibility" 

Concept note: the debate is organized on regional levels after which it will be inter - regional with the final contest at congress between the final four institutions after the inter - regionals

Balloting will be done at the 2nd quarter CC to enable pairing of Institutions for the subsequent debates.

It should however be noted that there are high expectations these debates so cooperation from institutions is heartily desire.

3.3 Pre - Independence Day Lecture

Aside the fore mentioned programs, a pre - Independence Day lecture was organized as part of the 2nd quarter programs. UPSA hosted the union in their LBC auditorium on Wednesday 5th March 2014. The lecture was on the theme: THE IMPACT OF EXPLOITATION OF GHANA'S NATURAL RESOURCES ON THE SOCIO - ECONOMIC LIFE OF THE ORDINARY GHANAIAN; A POST INDEPENDENCE PERSPECTIVE.

SPEAKERS: Rev. Osei- Kusi (Osei - Kusi Foundation) - Chairman

Prof. K Frimpong Boateng - (founder of Cardiothoracic centre)

Dr. Kofi Amoah

4.0 Collaborations

The National Union of Ghana Students has partnered a number of organizations to facilitate its activities.

The Union partnered with Osei - Kusi foundation to visit and donate items to female in - mates at the Nsawam prisons.

Also Fredrich Ebert Stiftung foundation has given opportunity to two executives to partake in its yearlong training and capacity building program.

Expectations are however very high in anticipation of more beneficial collaborations.

5.0 Media Relations

All our programs enjoyed media attention however the union did not contact more than three media houses for an individual program. The debate was covered by UTV, the lecture was covered by GTV and Daily Express while the reproductive health seminar and screening got the coverage of Pravda radio.

The Union has done its best to clean its image in the media. It has also used the media as a channel to air its views on a lot of issues this quarter.

The media engaged the principal spokesperson of the union; the President on various issues such as: 

 MEDIA HOUSE.                                      ISSUE DISCUSSED

Happy Fm.                                            Issues on gays

                                                               University of Ghana toll booth issues

                                                               Delay in paying the feeding grant in 

                                                              eighty - three (83) SHS in the three Northern regions  

Pravda radio and Radio XYZ.                     UTAG strike

                                                                         Feeding grants

                                                                         Gay rights

Peace Fm and UTV.                                   Gay issues in SHS

                                                                       UTAG intended strike

Daily Express, Crusading Guide

 and Today newspaper.                          NUGS' views on Ghana's 57th Birthday

6.0 Meetings

National Secretariat has held and honored several meetings in pursuit of different objectives. Officers attended blocs' senates as well as general assembly meetings. Institutional programs were also attended.

Also, Officers attended several Stakeholders meetings at a number of corporations and Ministries to discuss issues affecting students in Ghana as well as the union. Notably amongst these meetings is the meeting with the Director of the computer selection and placement system (CSPS) to discuss issue of students buying cards to check their results as well as placement. National Secretariat is optimistic of a favorable response. 

Several meetings were also held to solicit funds to renovate the secretariat.

7.0 Up - coming 

Central Committee Meeting on 15th March at UG - City Campus

Continuation of Jaw - Jaw debate

NUGS hour on TV

Students' Day Symposium -15th May

NUGS Day of Prayer

Time schedule as well as venue for these up - coming programs will be communicated later.

8.0 Challenges

The Union has suffered a lot of difficulty in respect to mobilization of funds for programs.

As of now, no member Institution has paid dues to enable the running of the Union. Neither has pledges made at the first CC been redeemed so National Officers had to pre- finance all activities in anticipation of reimbursement. This situation has reduced the momentum desired for organizing programs since financiers are not difficult to get.

Another challenge is the attitude of members. Quick judgment without considering content or benefits of proposals before complaining can deter progress. It serves a demoralizing tool which must be discouraged.

Members are therefore urged to encourage National Secretariat to improve through constructive criticisms.

9.0 Conclusion

This quarter had witnessed three programs thus the Reproductive health seminar and screening, Jaw - Jaw debate and the Pre- Independence Day lecture. Upcoming activities are central committee meeting on 15th March, launch of NUGS hour on TV, Students day symposium, and NUGS Day of Prayer. With finance as the main challenge of the union, members are entreated to support the union with some funds to organize its programs.

9.1 Acknowledgement

The National Secretariat is very appreciative of the support enjoyed from all members however the deeds of some individuals are worth mentioning.

The officers of the union are grateful to Edem Agbana, Caled Fugah and Caleb Owusu; SRC Presidents of UG, KNUST and UPSA respectively for hosting the union's programs. Local NUGS Presidents of these institutions are also appreciated for their roles played. Mr. Asiwome (GRASAG President) and Miss Zarina Amandi are also appreciated for facilitating the maiden jaw- jaw debate.

The coordinating team has been exceptional in their assignments and deserves recognition.

Thanks to the Almighty for sustaining our unity for there is hope for a strong better union to safeguard students of Ghana from generation to generation as desired by all. NUGS WILL LIVE and NOT DIE.

Long live positive Students activism

Long live NUGS

Long live Ghana

Aluta 

Yours in students' service,

AGNES PEARL DONTOH                                                 SAMUEL BINFOH DAKWA

(COORDINATING SECRETARY)                                             (PRESIDENT)