Lincoln Speaks

Sometime back, I raised an argument over why we should have student representatives constituting the L.A. (Local Assembly) but their views will not be sought for in the determination of how much students should pay as fees or when fees are to be increased.

It is becoming clear to me that our generation is doomed. The cynicism, tribalism and worse of it all I-don't-care or I will not vote is why we have to bear the brunt of bad, insensitive and myopic leadership.

During Awal's tenure as SRC President, level 100s paid GHS 40. Wilson increased it to GHS50. and many students were outraged. Why on earth should Rahaman increase this to GHS75? Are we students not responsible for the high cost of tertiary education if we cannot use several avenues and opportunities available to us to get the authorities to reduce the fees they charge?

Look at the difficult economic conditions we are in as a country. From where will a fresher get GHS 1,065 or GHS 1,131 or GHS 1,151+ GHS 75 to pay as fees?

Is the SRC an extension of the university management whose job is to develop the university?

How much do students of UCC and UG pay as SRC dues and what do they get in return?

What have we seen over the years, people giving out our students hostel, others buying cars and opening up shops etc. The moment they are able to buy a few bins and print T-shirts, they are the best leaders.

Tell a few students about a revolt to demand accountability, they will tag you as bitter and not progressive.

I am disappointed in the bar because we have become an appendage of the SRC whose joy is fulfilled when a member is made an attorney or a CJ. We are lost forever. Why must freshers suffer injustice even before they are admitted ? Yet we promise students that their fees will be paid in 50-50 or 70-30 which never sees the light of day.

See, every year students enrollment increases and so if now everyone will be made to pay his or her dues together with the fees, there is no justification for increasing the fees. The bar has also never probed any SRC ex-gratia payment yet we say justice for one justice for all. The university for me is breeding cowards and incompetent people who will collapse this nation if they become our leaders in national politics.

Many of you can choose to ignore this messge or even despise me but for me the bar will be as useless as anything if the status-quo remains.

 # Lucas Lincoln.#

University of Education - Winneba