Over the years the Leadership of the National Student front with the
various Student Representative Council's (SRC's) have been organizing
congresses at different times and at different occasions. As I have personally
observed after several years of dinning on the table of our National Student
Leadership. One thing I have come to notice is that almost all students who
attend the University Students Association of Ghana (USAG) and the Ghana Union
of Ghana Students (GUPS) Congress also attend the National Union of Ghana
Students (NUGS) Congress.
This is because the membership of GUPS and USAG have institutional
representation at congress whiles that of the Teacher Trainees Association of
Ghana (TTAG), the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG), National
Health Students Association of Ghana (NAHSAG) and the Regional SRC (RSRC); have
no institutional delegation but bloc representation.
There are also other participants like media, international observers and
local observers, invited guest, Student Representatives on National Boards
among other delegates and observers at congress.
It is my solemn advice that the NUGS, GUPS, and USAG upon meticulous
planning could organize a common congress at a common location; this in my view
will bring a lot of advantages to the student front some of which are discussed
in this publication.
PROPOSED PROGRAM
I believe that in four (4) or five (5) days we should be able to finish
all these congresses at a common location.
Arrival should be on the night before day one
Day 1: Since GUPS members are generally not USAG members (accept a few
exceptions), both blocs could have their last General assembly as well as NEC
and Senate early morning. Then after Breakfast the launching start concurrently
around 10:00am. After Lunch there could be the Congress sitting to present
annual reports and scrutinise them carefully. Then after supper Manifesto
Readings and or Presidential Debates.
Day 2. With rigorous discipline, at 8:00 am on the second day, there
could be the commencement of elections and by afternoon of day two, elections
are declared. The rest of day 2 could be used to rest or organise some sporting
activities or some Communiqué discussions or focused group discussions or some
other program of importance.
Day 3. NUGS last CC at Congress before breakfast then Launching of
Congress after Breakfast after which we can proceed to Congress Activities be
it Reports and or other programs of congress.
Day 4. At least by Midday of day four NUGS elections could commence and
by supper time, Elections are over. So congress could be dissolved in the
evening of Day 4.
ADVANTAGES
The under listed advantages will be enjoyed if this advice is taken
1.
A single capitation for both Congresses
will reduce the capitation cry of the SRC's and hence enable them to save some
of their resources for other projects to benefit the struggling Ghanaian
Students.
2. Transport Cost for schools who may have to travel twice will be a thing
of the past. For instance if UDS has to covey close to 100 students twice for
congress at the southern part, they will take this journey only once and so
save a lot of money which could be used for another project on campus.
3. Some institutions pay allowances to students anytime they travel to
perform official duty and this also will be reduced drastically.
4. It is time saving for students so that they may have more time to
concentrate on their books.
5. It will be easier to get invited guests of a certain calibre since they
will be able to reach two or three programs at one time.
6. Those who are workers will find it easy to take one permission and
participate in all these congresses than taking separate permissions.
1. Requesting for funds from school authorities for congresses will become
easier since student leaders would not have to go to the authorities twice to
request for congress funds.
7.
This will bring more unity and
togetherness among participants especially if games or debates or quizzes are organised
among the various blocs.
CHALLENGES
1. There will be a need
to select venues that have enough facilities to support such congresses.
2. Teamwork among bloc
heads and NUGS officers is prime for effectiveness
3. Openness and accountability
is needed to ensure fairness and equity and enhance the trust level among the
leadership.
This proposal I believe can be relooked into and the necessary
alterations made to ensure an efficient and effective running of our
congresses. God bless you for reading and always remember that JESUS IS COMING
SOON.
God Bless Ghana
God bless the Student leadership of Ghana
God Bless Ghanaian Students.
by: Orchill Prince David
That is a great suggestion and I also believe that when it is carefully looked at it could be implemented. Nothing is indeed impossible when we put our minds to it.
ReplyDeleteLet's see what the future holds for us. Thanks anyway
ReplyDeleteIts a wonderful suggestion, but we should not forget about our security. GUPS, USAG etc are major blocs that has their own problems; imaging how only one bloc' congress comes with a degree of confusion within students and bloc leadership.
ReplyDeleteAlso that will not create opportunity for other students to have a feel of congress and only the privilege one' would benefit it all. It must be an avenue for others to travel and have exposure to students Alma mater.