APPRECIATION FROM IDDI MUHAYU-DEEN

It is very humbling and gratifying for me to once again express my sincere gratitude and great feeling of 'razzmatazz' to all the delegates to the just ended NUGS Congress, my fellow candidates and indeed the generality of Ghanaian students for the unflinching support my colleagues and I received at the aforesaid congress.

My greatest solace is with respect to the peaceful nature at which the Congress was conducted. Arguably, the most successful and peaceful Congress witnessed in the annals of NUGS. I say a BIG BRAVO to all who have contributed to the attainment of this enviable niche and milestone.


I wish to respectfully make a special mention of my elder brother and sister, James Attoh and Eunice Boatema respectively for subjecting me to a productive engagements and healthy competition right from the onset and the immediate aftermath. NUGS is the only winner in the elections and not any single individual. We've all made it comrades

We have before us; an arduous responsibility of ensuring that we are able hold the fort for the poor Ghanaian student whose cry for justice has been very loud. This can only be realized through the spirit of synergy and cooperation from all stakeholders especially the SRC and Local NUGS leaderships of the various institutions under NUGS so that my colleagues and I can indeed diligently discharge our mandate and accordingly vindicate the confidence you have reposed in us.

To this end, I respectfully implore you to offer us your unwavering support in whatever form you could. We need you now more than we ever needed you. NUGS MUST work again, and without mincing words, I put it to you that NUGS will indeed work again and confidence shall indeed be once again restored in the enterprise of student leadership (INSHA Allahu). THANKS once again and may ALLAH overwhelm you with His bountiful blessings and favours.

ALUTA CONTINUA

.....SIGNED.....
IDDI MUHAYU-DEEN
NUGS GEN. SEC. ELECT
(0245335197/0202789171)

THE APPRECIATION I HAVE- USAG PRESIDENT-ELECT

"To get to the sun, you must first pass through thick grey clouds."

I am most grateful to the guiding Hand of Divine Providence for bringing me thus far.

I also would like to thank KNUST SRC for their overwhelming support, Mr. Duke Sasu and especially, Mr. Richmond 'Sober' Larbi. Speedy recovery my brother. Not forgetting KNUST NUGS, under the able leadership of ''Obaa Yaa Asantewaa'' Evelyn Mutinta Sappor and supported by Mr. Charles Osei-Wusu and Blaise Konlan. You all added to making it possible.

To my team, the awe-inspiring and odd-defying, indefatigable and indomitable, full-driven and dedicated; this hard-earned victory was won by your hard work and indubitable passion for the future of Ghana's University student from.

To my fellow Executives-Elect, Sammy, Abubakar, Tony, Eben, Emefa and Otu Darko, I congratulate you. The battle is over but the war to further the wheels of progress of the Ghanaian student continues.

Mr. Okudzeto B.Y, my contender, I thank God for your life and for the Brilliant opposition you subjected me to. You drove me to my limits, and by that, added some more kilometres to my personal journey of self-concept and leadership. I have grown wiser because of you. I look forward to sitting with you and all the others to carve a glorious and achievable future for University Students Association of Ghana.

I remain true to duty, in the service of the university student, as the needle of a compass points to the North.

In a moment when I still grieve about my Dad's demise- a man who taught me how to make my plans quietly and my success will make the noise, I can only wish and pray, that the path we cut for USAG will be one that we shall be proud of and that when it is all said and done, we shall say: "We did it! It happened in our time".


Thank you.

Derrick Osei-Poku (KNUST)
USAG President-Elect

2014/2015 EXECUTIVE ELECT

BY P.D ORCHILL

CURBING TERRORISM INSURGENCE IN AFRICA-STUDENTS/ YOUTH TO THE RESCUE ARTICLE BY RAYMOND N. FREMPONG FOR THE 4TH AFRICA STUDENTS AND YOUTH SUMMIT ORGANIZED BY THE ALL-AFRICA STUDENTS’ UNION (A.A.S.U) IN JULY 2014

 

Insurgency has a long standing history in Africa. This is notoriously known as the use of arms by rebels against constituted authorities or governments. It became prevalent in Africa during the colonial days and basically, it was used as a means of communicating to the colonial authorities about the plights of the denizens of the colonies. In many of the colonies, people with similar interest came together to protest on issues that had adverse effects on them but most often, these protests were coiled with brutalities so most of these protestants resorted to the gorilla style of agitation. Mainly, these groups received inspiration from countries like Cuba, the then USSR, and U.S.A.

The tenacity of insurgency cannot be said without giving credit to the Eastern and Western ideological conflict that ensued after the World War 2 which eventually led to the Cold War. After the allied victory in the war, the Western allies mainly Britain, France, and U.S.A and their Eastern counterparts from the Union of Soviet Socialists Republics (U.S.S.R) sought to push policies that intended their governance style to be emulated around the world. The West pushed for Capitalism or the Free Market and Enterprise type of economy but the East preferred Communism. This resulted in clashes in countries where these powers had interest. Many of the world’s conflicts after the World War 2 came as a result of this ideological struggle. Korea, Cuba, Vietnam just to mention a few suffered intensely from this struggle.

In Africa, the struggle was between the Western colonial authorities and the independence seekers backed by the East. It is worth mentioning that Ghana, Congo, Kenya, Guinea etc were all liberated through this means. After the fall of colonialism, the struggle continued but this time between the constituted authorities and militant insurgents seeking the overthrow of these authorities. It is also important to note that some of these insurgents received huge assistances from some of these world powers in order to protect their interests in countries of interest. This should indicate at this point that insurgency cannot thrive without these huge assistances and sponsorships. Even though the sales of pillaged precious mineral have been cited as a source of funding, it is still believed that insurgents cannot progress without sponsorships. Many of Africa’s conflicts are as a result of insurgency sponsored by the East or the West.  Countries like Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi are infamously known to have suffered from these acts. Several coup d’états including those in Ghana, Congo, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso have been made possible because of this same ideological struggle between these world powers aforementioned.

The recent addition of terrorism to the persisting problem of insurgency in Africa is breaking the camel’s back. It is a fact that insurgency has become a lucrative career for African militants and other mercenaries and in some way or the other some African governments have coped with that all these while but the fact that these militants have come to understand that the committing of suicide is part of a job content that seeks to destroy in large numbers must put Africa’s well wishers on their toes.  Zeroing in to groups involved, one cannot do without these two; Al Shabaab and Boko Haram. Unfortunately both of them have claimed the good teachings of Islam to be their source of motivation though some of the Islamic scholars have denounced them vehemently.

Firstly with Al Shabaab, a group that ensued as a result of its mother body’s (Islamic Courts Union) defeat in 2006  with a Sunni Islamism ideology, strict Sharia Takfir and a member of the Al Qaeda Network, claim to be pushing for Islamic ideals and also fighting the ‘enemies of Islam’ in Somalia with massive operations in Kenya and Somalia.

The second to tackle is Boko Haram translated as western education is a sin, formed in 2002 with inspiration from Wahhabism, Jihadism, Islamic Fundamentalism and a staunch Sharia advocate claims that the best form of governance for the people of the northern part of Nigeria is the Sharia type and also pushing for a secession that would ensue in an Islamic state for the people of northern Nigeria. With operations in Nigeria, Chad and the southern parts of Cameroon, they have proven to be the deadliest so far.

Fortunately, these notable groups’ interests have been clearly defined or spelt therefore give room for probable solutions. But before that, one may ask these questions;

1.      Could there be a perpetual religious state in this era of the world where regional and global integration principles are being seriously espoused by people worldwide?

2.      If Africa’s Unity is a true objective of Africans, could there be parts of Africa that would be governed by religious laws?

3.      Could Africa give up its unity for religious sentiments to emerge?

WAY FORWARD

It would be very important at this juncture for all Africans to determine their future whether in unison or individual capacities. The people and countries of Africa must put forward their aspirations either through referenda or their representatives whether to unite or go their separate ways. If Africa decides on unity, it must bring and drag everyone on board including all these insurgent groups. However if it decides otherwise, provisions must be made for those Africans who see themselves as a common people through religion, tribe, economic ideologies etc to determine their future whether through the establishments of common territories, laws or governments. In all these (unity or separation), one should not forget that human beings are those with special rights to enjoy.

RAYMOND N. FREMPONG FOR THE 4^TH AFRICA STUDENTS AND YOUTH SUMMIT ORGANIZED BY THE ALL-AFRICA STUDENTS’ UNION (A.A.S.U) IN JULY 2014

O P E N L E T T E R T O N U G S N A T I O N A L O F F I C E R S

DATE: 12- SEPTEMBER 2014

On behalf of the students of UENR, we hereby write to lament on the change in venue for congress.

We are not by any means against the change in venue but against how the venue was changed. We find it a gross disrespect to the entire university, to change venue without informing the appropriate offices.

Our love for the union made us inform the NUGs President on the 1st of September, 2014 to issue an apology letter for the inconveniences caused.

Based on that, we will take legal actions against the union and the national executives particularly, the President, Mr. Sammy Binfoh and the Coordinating Secretary, Miss Pearl Dontoh unless the following demands are met.

1) A befitting apology for change in venue without notice.

2) An official letter to change venue with reasons

3) Payment of enquiries cost.

4) Suitable compensation to that effect and

5) A suitable apology letter to the VC of the university and the Omanhene of Sunyani for deception.

They are also reminded that they have 3 days ultimatum to meet these requirements.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely
Signed
KHADIJA SARQUAH
LNUGS SEC

BEATRICE AGYAPONG
LNUGS PREZ

GLORIA ESINAM DARKO
SRC PREZ

SECURITY & FEEDING AT CONGRESS OPEN LETTER TO NUGS BY OSMAN AMADU

Dear NUGS,

I am sure by now you are very much aware of the issues from the USAG congress as some of the national officers from NUGS were there to witness it themselves. 

`

With just three days away from the congress, two of the key areas I would like to touch on are FOOD and SECURITY as we all gear up for the congress of all unions. 

FOOD

The food that was served at the USAG congress was sub standard. I pray we are not serve sub standard food at the NUGS congress too. 

Please for your information there are some students who are not meat or fish eaters for medical or religious reasons or simply because they want to live life as vegetarians (vegans as well). 

As a vegetarian (vegan) myself I thought I write to pre inform you about the food you will be serving delegates at the congress. 

I can only plead that when the food issue is being factored, please think of the people I have referred to in this letter and please don’t assume that we are all fish and meat eater. Some of us are vegetable eaters too.

SECURITY

I need not tell you that Methodist University was a WAR ZONE as students leaders were chased after with broken bottles and machetes right in the presence of Ghana Police and the private security firm responsible for security of the campus. From my experience, my safety is not guarantee in the hands of Ghana Police. Not even macho men should be hired. In my opinion I will advice you go for military personal to provide security for the congress. With them, I am very sure we will not have a repeat of Methodist University. 

Till then, I will see you all at congress grounds.

Yours in service,

...signed....

Osmanu Amadu.

What do I wish I knew before saying I DO

On 2nd Sept 1995, I said “I DO!” 19yrs down the line, what have I learnt. What do I wish I knew before saying I DO. Below are some 19 lessons: (very long post)

1. Love is a choice, not an emotion: As more years pass, you realize that each day you have to consciously choose to love. You cannot rely on the “emotional” feelings you had the first month you met.

2. Love is a commitment: You must resolve to love regardless. Marriage is not for those who want to try if it will work or not. It is for those who resolve to make it work no matter the challenges.

3. Leave your parents: Many marriages fail because one or both partners fails to cut the umbilical cord to his/her parents. Don’t keep going back to mama to cry! Focus on building your marriage.

4. Develop your own set of values: None of you should impose his/her parents’ values to be fully adopted in your new family. Many of the things your parents do/did, might not work for you 100%. Create your own marriage constitution and live by it.

5. Don’t borrow money to finance the wedding: I am glad we never borrowed a cent to finance our wedding! We told our families we just had enough money to get into church, get married and come out happy as husband and wife. If they wanted a celebration, they were welcome to host it! And they did, a garden reception at Lilongwe Hotel!!!

6. Don’t believe the lie that “Banja ndi mavuto”: Choose to create a happy marriage not a sad one. Whatever your chosen mindset about marriage, it will manifest.

7. Choose to focus on the good and not the weaknesses: We all have the bad side, but love must choose to focus on the good, on what is lovely, what is praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8)

8. “Keep the Main Thing, The Main Thing”: Your marriage should be the main thing. Avoid the temptation to separate and live in different towns, cities, countries just to “earn a living” Life is for living, and choose to live it together. Let what God has put together remain together.

9. Choose which battles to fight and which ones to ignore: Our first major fight within a month of our marriage was about how to hang curtains! Years down the lane, I don’t give a damn how they are hang!

10. Learn to forgive: If you are just young in love, you take things too seriously sometimes. Listen, your mate is just human and full of errors and weaknesses. If you want to marry an angel, then wait till you are dead!

11. Grow and develop with your partner: Don’t let only one of you do the extra studies, the extra reading, the career advancement. You need to keep a healthy closeness mentally.

12. Create special moments to remember: Don’t let your marriage be dull by following a boring routine of waking up, going to work, coming back, eating, sleeping, waking up again… Do some special things together or for each other that will create special memories that will live-up your marriage.

13. Raise your children together: Fathers, you have a heavy responsibility to raise the children. Change nappies, put them to sleep, play with them. Well-disciplined children reduce stress in the home. Undisciplined, unruly kids bring strain to a marriage.

14. Have role models: There are sweet couples out there who you should aspire to be like. Learn from them. Find out what they do to keep love alive. Learn from the mistakes of other failing couples so that you don’t make them yourselves.

15. Learn to communicate well to each other: I have learnt over the years that many arguments can be avoided by simply knowing what to communicate, how and when to communicate. Certain arguments come simply because of wrong timing in communication. Learn your spouse and know when to communicate what.

16. Realize that you are both changing: We met when we were both in college, first year. I had no single white hair! The ups and downs of life take a toll on you and years change you. She might not maintain her figure! He might develop a pot-belly! Both of you change, so be ready to accept each other as you age.

17. I wish… someone had told us how to plan long-term and how to save and invest. Over the years I have come to appreciate that it costs money to live a decent loving life. And generally, women don’t like perpetually broke men!

18. I wish… I had develop my listening skills. I keep annoying my wife by switching off while she is still speaking (God help me!) I have also discovered that as men we jump to offer solutions when all the lady is looking for, is empathy.

19. I wish… I had started a solid investment for each of our children the month they were born… a college fund, or real estate investment.

P/S: Almost all the glasses and dinner sets we received on our wedding day are broken! Any gifts for our kitchen top-up are welcome. A party will be held next year.

Henry Kachaje

Statement By NAHSAG On Cholera And Matters Arising

By National Health Students’ Association Of Ghana (NAHSAG)

                                                                                          INTRODUCTION:

Following the alarming emergence of cholera outbreak in the nation, coupled with the threat it poses to the well-being of people, The National Health Students Association of Ghana (NAHSAG) in its General Assembly to deliberate on issues that will further advance the cause of the association and matters of national concern opened a discussion on the said epidermic.

The meeting which took place on the 6th of September, 2014 at University of Ghana, Accra City campus brought together leaders of the various blocs and member associations of health trainees across the length and breadth of the country.

The discourse offered an opportunity to deliberate and make effective suggestions and strategies for accelerated operational response to the annual outbreak of cholera – a crisis that require more consideration to tackle.

The association thereof recommends that the GOVERNMENT:

1. Mobilises the various relevant sectors of the country to work together in improving and promoting awareness on the causes, mode of transmission, manifestation, prevention and home management of the disease. This includes developing and disseminating information and education materials for public awareness on prevention and control of Cholera. The campaigns on food handling and processing should also be intensified as well.

2. Identifies and commits additional financial funds to support outbreak preparedness for subsequent times.

3. Institutes more concrete waste management material resources for processing waste. Ghana generates huge tonnes of garbage, with a chunk of them polluting our water bodies and drainage systems. Segregation, recycling and other advanced measures can be adopted.

4. Revitalises the operation of sanitation law-enforcing institutions such as the Town Council, Sanitary Inspectors etc.

5. Through the local government, ensures that clean-up sessions are organised.

6. Enforces the laws. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local government and Rural Development, and District Assemblies should be up-and-doing in ensuring that policies and regulations on waste and sanitation are operatively enforced.

7. Establishes more waste disposal facilities to reduce pressure on the already existing ones or land sites used for that purpose.

8. Extends the services of waste management establishments to rural, deprived areas. More to the point, the government should provide toilet facilities to deficient communities. This will curb the problem of illicit disposal of sewage.

NAHSAG also entreats individuals to develop a positive attitude towards personal hygiene waste disposal and environmental sanitation.

Signed

Patrick Fynn,

Research and Media Relations Officer

Samuel Kwabla Nukpenu,

President

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CV AND A RESUME

In my work as a Career Coach, I have reviewed and written many CVs and resumes for several clients in Africa and some other continents of the world. I have observed keenly the confusion many people have in differentiating between a CV and a resume. Both employers and job seekers mistakenly take a CV for a resume and vice versa. But there are differences between the two types of application document.

A CV (Curriculum Vitae, which means course of life in Latin) is an in-depth document that can be written on two or more pages and it contains a high level of details about you. The CV covers your education, work experience and expertise as well as any other accomplishments like publications, awards, honors, etc. The document tends to be organized chronologically and should make it easy to get an overview of an individual’s full working history. A CV is static and doesn't change for different job positions; the difference would be in the cover letter.

A resume, or résumé, is a concise document typically not longer than one page as the intended reader will not spend much time on your document. The goal of a resume is to make an individual stand out from the competition. The job seeker adapts the resume to every job opportunity or position they apply for. It is in the applicant’s interest to change the resume from one job application to another and to tailor it to the needs of the specific employer or job opening. A resume doesn’t have to be ordered chronologically; it doesn’t have to cover your whole career history and is a highly customizable document.

Explicitly, three major differences between CVs and resumes are the length, the purpose and the layout. A resume is a brief summary of your skills and experience over one or two pages whereas a CV is more detailed and can stretch well beyond two pages. The resume is customized to each position whereas the CV will stay the same and any changes will be in the cover letter. A CV has a clear chronological order, listing the whole career history of the individual whereas a resume’s information can be changed to best suit the job opening. In summary, the main difference between a resume and a CV is that a CV is intended to be a full record of your career history and a resume is a brief, targeted list of skills and achievements. A CV is long, covers your entire career and static whereas a resume is short, no particular format rule, highly adaptable.

In the US and Canada, a resume is the preferred application document. Americans and Canadians would only use a CV when applying for a job abroad or if searching for an academic or research oriented position. In the UK, Ireland and New Zealand, a CV is used in all contexts and resumes aren’t used at all. The CV prevails in mainland Europe and there is even a European Union CV. In Australia, India and South Africa, the terms resume and CV are used interchangeably. The term resume is used more for jobs in the private sector and CV is more commonplace when applying for public service positions.

In Ghana, a CV is more commonly used than a resume although people use the terms interchangeably. In most cases, employers and recruiters request for a CV than a resume. However, I have also noticed a hybrid kind of application document that combines the features of both a resume and CV.

With this clarification, I hope that employers or recruiters will know which document to request for in their employment process. Job seekers must also respond to the requirements of job applications with the right documents accordingly. The next time you want to apply for a job opening, know that you may be requested to send your CV or resume.

Leave a reply

Emmanuel Woyome is a leading Career Coach in Africa, serving clients around the globe. He writes, speaks, coaches, trains and consults on career development and workplace issues. He is the CEO of Corporate Life Consulting (www.corporatelifeconsulting.com), a Career Coaching & HRD firm. You may contact him through E-mail: e.woyome@gmail.com or Mobile: +233 24 3851066.

Pupil Teachers Axed

Pupil teachers across the country have been asked to proceed on leave by the Ghana Education Service (GES).

Acting Director-Gener­al of GES, Charles Yaw Aheto-Tsegah, confirmed the development in an interview last Tuesday when contacted to clarify why the appointments of some pupil teachers were being terminated.

DAILY GUIDE has in its possession, a copy of a letter terminating the appointments of some pupil teachers dated August 15, 2014, from the office of the Municipal Director of Education, Awutu Senya East-Kasoa, Ebenezer Oscar Asare, which was addressed to some pupil teachers in the area.

A similar letter from the Upper West Akyem Munic­ipal Assembly at Asamankese in the Eastern Region had also been dis­patched to pupil teachers in the area.

Sources said the nation­wide exercise was to cut down teachers' wage bill.

Mr. Aheto-Tsegah pointed out that the con­tract between the GES and the pupil teachers was over and that the GES no longer had space to retain them.

According to him, the teachers were not regular ones and that they w'ere regarded as contract teach­ers who were normally hired on a yearly basis.

"They are what you would consider to be con­tract teachers and when you are recruited as a pupil teacher you are given a one-year term of contract the GES boss stated.

'And at the end of the one-year you are not guar­anteed a continued stay to be teaching. After that, your continued stay in the service will be determined by good performance dur­ing the period that you were in the service," he added.

He disclosed that more professional teachers had come into the service and that it was difficult to retain the pupil teachers - also known as non-profes­sional teachers.

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Source: Daily Guide 

SHOW COMMITMENT IN THE USAG IMPASSE: OPEN LETTER TO NUGS PRESIDENT

Frimpong Gilbert Assuman,

University of Education, Winneba,

Ajumako Campus,

P. O. Box 72,

Ajumako.

The President,
National Union Of Ghana Students,
Accra, Ghana.

Dear Sir,

SHOW COMMITMENT IN THE USAG IMPASSE.

I Write as a concerned student of Ghana to plead with your outfit to "show commitment' in helping to curb the Impasse facing the University Students Association of Ghana (USAG).

During annual delegates congresses, students' leaders spend substantial amount of money huge enough to make them heroes/heroins in our respective institutions. But most often than not, these leaders end up been chased by matchetes, broken bottles, clubs and in some worse scenarios guns.

These students leaders after 'wasting' such huge amount of money from the hard earned money of their students sometimes go back to their respective campuses wounded.

A typical situation of such unfortunate incidence is what happened during this year's annual delegates congress of the University Students Association of Ghana (USAG).

The unfortunate happening at this years congress I am very sure you are fully aware because throughout the whole program, some of your executive were there.

It is not as if NUGS is different when it comes to such unfortunate mishaps during congress.

NUGS has over the years also had it own problems to deal with when it comes to the negativities surrounding congresses.

Nonetheless, its incumbent on NUGS as the parent UNION of all other students Unions to show leadership in helping to curb the mishaps.

As the saying goes, leadership is an effect all other things are causes.

I am therefore with this letter pleading with your honoured office to show leadership in helping to solve the impasse at USAG and also to outline to us details of the security arrangement towards this year's annual delegates congress slated to take place at Akrokeri college of Education on 18th to 21 September this year.

Failure to do that my institution will have no other option than to pull out of this years NUGS ANNUAL DELEGATES CONGRESS.

Counting on usual cooperation.

Thank you.

signed
........................................

Frimpong Gilbert Assuman.
LOCAL NUGS PRESIDENT
UEW-Ajumako.



CC:
The General Secretary,
NUGS



The President,
USAG


All local NUGS presidents

The SRC president,
UEW-Ajumako


The SRC president,


UEW - Winneba

RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION, A CANKER WE MUST FIGHT TOGETHER.... Prosper Dzitse speaks!!

Since the defacto of democratization of our dear country and continent, there have been pockets of concerns in relation to how others are treated due to religious differences. This many a time bring great misunderstanding among groups of people which sometimes lead to conflicts.

This issue is of great concern to me because I had to deal with some of these issues seriously when I was the Regional SRC President of Greater Accra few years ago. I remember how I had to be at the door steps of the then acting Director General of Ghana Education Service about this same issue and make sure she writes to heads of institutions telling them to desist from such acts, and just when I thought that should be a thing of the past, a colleague complained bitterly about how some Moslem students were being forced to worship the way they don't believe they should, some were being denied their freedom of worship.

I still can't fathom why in this 21st century people will be denied holding positions or denied other opportunities being it at the work place, school or community in this liberal  society, simply because of the faith they profess. I have always believed that religious education in whichever level is meant to assist  students adopt sound morals and values and not to make one religious body superior over the other. That is one of the reasons why Ghana  Education Service critically looks at the kind of syllabus that students are taught in relation to religious education especially at basic and secondary school levels. That is why the CHAPTER 005, Article 12, clauses (1) and (2) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana seriously speak against any form of discrimination without recourse to the law. It simply means that religious discrimination is an offence and anyone found culpable can be prosecuted under the law. It is due to religious tolerance that during most public functions, different religious prayers are said. It is also due to this, we have different religious public holidays in this country.

I am a Christian and I am proud to be one, My pride stems from the fact that no one forces me to worship God in a way that I am not pleased with. I believe every human is equal and should be allowed to worship God the way they want.

If Christians have a Church building where they worship God in a particular school, nothing stops Moslems from having Mosque in order to also worship God. I have a lot of Moslem friends who are very peace loving, I see no reason why any bad act should be attributed to an individual or a group of people simply because of their religious belief. While we must admit that there are some Moslems who are violent, we cannot also deny the fact that there are some Christians who are equally violent and any form of violence  must always be condemned in its uncertain terms regardless of the person's religious background.

Moving on, I believe that educational institutions should be opened to all members of the public, regardless of their faith. Students should not face discrimination or harassment because of their faith, their beliefs, their distinctive religious dress, or their religious expressions.

We must therefore vigorously promote religious tolerance to safeguard national peace and stability. 

In conclusion, I am therefore calling on the Ghana Bar Association, the Christian Council of Ghana, Ghana Peace Council, the Media, all Civil Society Organizations, the Parliament of Ghana, all Ministries concerned, Ghana Education Service & all Ghanaians to help stem out this form of religious fanaticism and unacceptable behavior from our institutions.

I promise to do my part, come onboard and let's fight this together, for YOU ARE BECAUSE I AM, AND I AM BECAUSE YOU ARE, UBUNTU.

The writer is the CEO of the Institute of Mentorship and Leadership Training (IMLT), Ghana.

He speaks for the voiceless using his pen and intellect, he is also an Aspiring 2014 National Union of Ghana students (NUGS) President.

UG students to fill Ebola forms as requirement for Hall admissions

The University of Ghana (UG) will not allow students who refuse to fill an e-risk assessment form into its halls of residence.

The online form is meant to collect data on the Ebola epidemic on students and staff for surveillance purposes.

The Director of Public Affairs of the university, Mrs Stella Amoa, who made this known to the Daily Graphic, said the form was compulsory as it formed part of a number of contingency measures the university had put in place for surveillance purposes.

Among other things, the form asks for information including where one comes from or travelled over the holidays, if one had experienced symptoms or had been close to anyone who experienced the disease.

Mrs Amoa said the university had formed a committee to brainstorm how to handle any eventuality, while the Legon Hospital had also been put on alert.

She said the authorities were also expecting some equipment from the Ghana Health 

Service.

Government directive

Most universities were to reopen in August, but a directive from the government to suspend the reopening temporarily froze the academic calendar.

The directive, which also applied to all private tertiary institutions, was to allow for the necessary screening and preparedness measures to be instituted to ensure that tertiary institutions were adequately placed in readiness for any outbreak of the Ebola virus in the country.

With most of the universities in Accra either reopened or preparing to reopen this week, a number of them including the UG, Ghana Institute of Journalism and the Regent University College are putting measures in place to prevent the outbreak of the disease on the campuses and in the country at large.

According to UG figures, from the 2012/ 2013 academic year, the university had 953 foreign students with 543 coming from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region while the others were from the Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania and other parts of Africa.

Education

Mrs Amoa said the university would keep a close eye on students from Ebola-endemic countries to prevent the disease from spreading to the country.

She said the school would also carry out public education among students and had already sent guidelines on the Ebola via email to all students.

“We are also meeting with all hall authorities of the university for surveillance because we need to get feedback and keep our campuses Ebola-free,” she added.

The Senegal student's case

Concerns about international students being a vehicle for spreading the deadly Ebola virus heightened with reports that Senegal had confirmed its first Ebola case one week after closing its border with Guinea over fears that the deadly outbreak could spread to the country.

CNN reported that Senegal’s health minister, Awa Marie Coll Seck, confirmed that a 21-year-old university student from Guinea was infected with the Ebola virus and had been placed in quarantine in the Fann Hospital in Dakar, according to a Senegal News Agency report.

Officials in Guinea alerted Senegal last Wednesday after losing track of the student.

GIJ and Regent University

At the GIJ, where academic work has resumed, the Registrar, Mr Perry K. Fosu, said the school was in the process of procuring soap and sanitisers for all the washrooms and vantage points.

“We are also using the campus radio, Radio GIJ, to educate the students on what to do and not to do with respect to the virus. We are collaborating with the SRC for the anti-Ebola campaign,” he added.

The institute currently has 12 foreign students from Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and Nigeria.

He said since the university had no clinic of its own, it relied on Ridge Hospital for all its health needs.

The Deputy Head of Communications of the Regent University College of Science and Technology, Mr Emmanuel A.S Quaye, told the Daily Graphic in a telephone interview that the university had designated an isolation room for screening for high temperature and other symptoms of Ebola.

“We have also purchased personal protection equipment. If we have any suspicion of Ebola, we know what to do,” he said.

Mr Quaye said besides providing sanitisers at vantage points for the use of students, the university also had a facility called Veronica bucket provided by the Ministry of Health where students were encouraged to wash their hands at the entrance of the university.

At the University of Professional Studies, fresh students were seen busily registering.

A source told the Daily Graphic that measures were being put in place, but declined to give further details.

The Ebola scare

More than 1,000 people have died and 1,800 have become infected since the outbreak of the disease in February.

The Ebola outbreak – the worst ever – has so far been recorded in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, but has spread to other countries such as Nigeria and Senegal in recent months.

The virus is transmitted among humans through bodily fluids.

In Ghana, as of August 12, a total of 37 suspected cases had been evaluated but proved negative.

Source : DailyGraphic

POSTPONEMENT OF REGISTRATION EXERCISE FOR PERSONNEL IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

URGENT NOTICE..!!!!!
ATTENTION..!!! ATTENTION...!!!!ATTENTION....!!!!

The Greater Accra Secretariat wishes to announce for the information of the Genral Public, POSTPONEMENT of the registration exercise to Tuesday 9th September, 2014, to enable the  Secretariat put in the necessary measures needed to ensure a stress free registration process. All Service Personnel within the public sector are please required to take note of this new development and act accordingly. 

We deeply regret and appologise for any inconviniences caused. We humbly plead with Service Personnels to bear with us. 

Thank you.

NB: Service Personnel within the PRIVATE sector may obtain their scratch cards on Monday, 8th September 2014.

To: All Polytechnic Students

NOTICE TO ALL POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS PREPARING FOR NATIONAL SERVICE

The National Service Secretariat is glad to inform all Polytechnic Students that in view of their upcoming examinations, special arrangement is being done to enable you do your National Service registration after your papers. You are hereby encouraged to concentrate on your examination in order to ensure a successful completion of your HNDs.

 In this light, Team KwaMe for NASPA Prez will like to seize this opportunity to wish our colleagues the very best of God's grace and favour in your examination. May the Almighty God see you through.

However students who may want to register before their examination will be allowed to do so, but the National Service Secretariat will not be held liable for poor performance in their examinations.

PROCEDURE FOR NATIONAL SERVICE PERSONNEL WITHIN GREATER ACCRA

Public Sector

      National Service Personnels are to:

1.Visit www.nssghana.org, click posting, enter your NSS number and print your National Service Posting form and appointment letter.

2. Present a copy of their posting forms and their school ID cards (Personnel can however present National Identification Cards such as NHIS, Driving License, Voters ID cards or Passports in the absence of their ID Cards) to their district offices for endorsement.

3. Pick up the endorsed forms and make three (3) photocopies.

There are NSS numbers on the endorsed forms, service personnels are to keep this number safe.

4. Submit the original copy of the endorsed letter of appointment and one (1) photocopy to the district office.

5. Submit the remaining two(2) to the institution you have been posted to.

PriVate Sector.
     National Service Personnels are to:

1. Visit www.nssghana.org, click posting, enter your NSS number and download your posting form.

2. Present your posting form with your Student ID or National Identification Card (Drivers, NHIS, Passport etc)

3. Pay the required registration fee of 40GHc and obtain a scratch card.

4. Open the registration page at the NSS Regional website (www.nssgra.org). Carefully follow the registration steps and provide all the necessary information to complete the form.

(Please carry along a softcopy of your passport picture for the online registration).

5. After completion of the form, print out your National Service Posting Letter or Letter of Appointment (in colour), already endorsed (signed, stamped and dated) by the Regional Director.

(Please NOTE!!!!! Black and white appointment letters will not be accepted).

6. Make 3 photocopies of endorsed appointment letter, making 4 and proceed to your place of posting for endorsement by HOD/supervisor.

(Endorsement consists of signature of officer, date indicating when you are to start work & stamp of organization).

7. Return the original copy and one copy of the endorsed appointment letter to the district office.

(Please NOTE!!!!! Ensure that the endorsed original appointment letter gets to the NSS district office within 3 days for preparation on nominal roll).

8. Pick up your ID card from the district office at the date to be provided at the District office.

URGENT NOTICE!!!!!

1. National Service personnel are please advised to keep a copy of their endorsed letter of appointment for reference sake, and present them at a future date as and when the need be.

2. All Service Personnel will be recognized by their Service numbers indicated on the endorsed forms, hence are humbly advised to note them down.

Plss 4 wd 2 all Ga Metro NSS Personnels.

Thanks.

Yours Truely.

Kwame 4 NASPA Prez....toGetheR we CaN.

Please call 0244201123 or whatsapp 0266258433 for any info.

NUGS NOTICE!... NUGS NOTICE....!!

NUGS NOTICE!... NUGS NOTICE....!!
***************************************

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE VETTING COMMITTEE. ...


TO: ALL  ASPIRANTS AND STUDENTS IN GHANA

We wish to inform all  aspirants and the entire student body that, vetting for 2014/2015 aspirants is now confirmed.

Date: 6th - 8th September 2014
Venue: KNUST SRC OFFICE - Kumasi

The vetting arrangements are as follows;

DAY 1

1. Coordinating Secretary
2. WOCOM
3. Press and Information Secretary
4. Projects and Programmes

DAY 2

1. Financial Controller
2. Education & Democratization Secretary
3. International Relations Officer
4. Treasurer

DAY 3

1. President
2. General Secretary

Note:

 1. Aspirants are to bring along their Valid Student ID card.

2. Birth certificate

3. Any other document(s) that deem important for the vetting.

Any inconveniences caused is deeply regretted

Kindly take note and act accordingly.

We count on your usual cooperation.

Thank you all and long live the Union.

..............Signed.........

BISMARK OSEI SARPONG
      P.R.O vetting committee (NUGS)
           Cell: 0268885551

JANET TUKPEYI
      Secretary vetting committee (NUGS)
      Cell: 0242785997

BERNARD YAW MISSEDJA
      Chairman Vetting committee (NUGS)
          Cell: 0244751436

Email address: nugsvetting@gmail.com.

Teachers to Sue TTAG over unlawful deduction

The leadership of the Teacher Trainess Association of Ghana (TTAG ) was left in dilemma over what is being described as a legitimate attempt of the association to deduct teachers who are currently on the field and are no longer members of the association.

Reports reaching education Ghana, has it that, teachers who are teaching and are no longer members of the association are still being deducted the association’s monthly dues aside the dues they pay to their respectively teacher unions.

The affected teachers also sent evidence of their payslips to prove their claims.

According to some of the teachers, they always seek information from the leadership on their social media platforms but there was no response.

Some of the affected teachers have threatened to take a legal action against the association for unlawful deduction of monies from their salaries.

An attempt to reach the leadership of TTAG wasn’t successful but we shall get our readers informed as soon as we hear From them

Source: educationGhana. email @ education.ghana@yahoo.com

Mortuary posting angers NSS personnel

Some recent university graduates have expressed disappointment at their postings by the National Service Secretariat (NSS).

One of them, a graduate of the University of Ghana who has been posted to a mortuary said he was unhappy with the choice of posting because it has nothing to do with his area of study.

The NSS released the 2014/2015 postings on Tuesday.

Some graduates have been posted to banks, telecommunication companies, hospitals and top government agencies, while others were posted to mortuaries and farms.

Speaking to Citi News, the students who spoke on condition of anonymity stated that “I am a little bit disappointed because as a Business Student I don’t see why I have been given a mortuary to go and do my Service . It doesn’t make sense.”

“It is not just National Service, it is my life and going to do my service at the mortuary, I cant get a job,” he added.

Another student, Japheth Benefu said “I was posted to Sekondi Takoradi and I am not happy with my posting at all.”

“I didn’t choose that region and I don’t know anybody there and even what I am going to do is not specific. It’s non-formal education and I have not heard any institution called non-formal education”

He stated that he will either “fight for a reposting or just stop and retry another time.”

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE FOR NATIONAL SERVICE PERSONNEL WITHIN GREATER ACCRA

Kwame Asare Antwi

The Greater Accra Secretariat has announced Monday 8th September, 2014 as the set date for commencement of registration.

Public Sector

National Service Personnels are to:

1.Visit www.nssghana.org, click posting, enter your NSS number and print your National Service Posting form and appointment letter.

2. Present a copy of their posting forms and their school ID cards (Personnel can however present National Identification Cards such as NHIS, Driving License, Voters ID cards or Passports in the absence of their ID Cards) to their district offices for endorsement.

3. Pick up the endorsed forms and make three (3) photocopies.

There are NSS numbers on the endorsed forms, service personnels are to keep this number safe.

4. Submit the original copy of the endorsed letter of appointment and one (1) photocopy to the district office.

5. Submit the remaining two(2) to the institution you have been posted to.

Private Sector.

National Service Personnels are to:

1. Visit www.nssghana.org, click posting, enter your NSS number and download your posting form.

2. Present your posting form with your Student ID or National Identification Card (Drivers, NHIS, Passport etc)

3. Pay the required registration fee of 40GHc and obtain a scratch card.

4. Open the registration page at the NSS Regional website (www.nssgra.org). Carefully follow the registration steps and provide all the necessary information to complete the form.

(Please carry along a softcopy of your passport picture for the online registration).

5. After completion of the form, print out your National Service Posting Letter or Letter of Appointment (in colour), already endorsed (signed, stamped and dated) by the Regional Director.

(Please NOTE!!!!! Black and white appointment letters will not be accepted).

6. Make 3 photocopies of endorsed appointment letter, making 4 and proceed to your place of posting for endorsement by HOD/supervisor.

(Endorsement consists of signature of officer, date indicating when you are to start work & stamp of organization).

7. Return the original copy and one copy of the endorsed appointment letter to the district office.

(Please NOTE!!!!! Ensure that the endorsed original appointment letter gets to the NSS district office within 3 days for preparation on nominal roll).

8. Pick up your ID card from the district office at the date to be provided at the District office.

URGENT NOTICE!!!!!

1. National Service personnel are please advised to keep a copy of their endorsed letter of appointment for reference sake, and present them at a future date as and when the need be.

2. All Service Personnel will be recognized by their Service numbers indicated on the endorsed forms, hence are humbly advised to note them down.

Plss 4 wd 2 all Ga Metro NSS Personnels.

Thanks.

Yours Truly

Kwame 4 NASPA Prez....toGetheR we CaN.

Please call 0244201123 or whatsapp 0266258433 for any info.

KNOW YOUR REGISTRATION &NSS METRO, MUNICIPAL & DISTRICT OFFICES

                              NSS Catchment and Registration Areas.

Kwame Asare Antwi

Zone A (Accra Central)
Areas: Adabraka, Ministries, Castle Junction, Osu, Ridge, Makola, Okaishie, James Town, Circle, Kokomlemle, Accra New Town, Abelenkpe, Dzorwulu, Kanda, Maamobi, Pig farm, Graphic Rd.
Registration Centre: Backyard of Ministry of Information & Forecourt of (Accra Central) NSS office.

Zone B (Ga West)
Areas: Kaneshie, Odorkor, Dansoman, Mallam, Kasoa, Gbawe, Weija, Kwashiemann, Anyaa, Ablekuma, Amasaman district, Taifa, Achimota, Dome, ST. John's, Atomic, Abeka, Lapaz, Darkuman, Mamprobi, Korlebu, GIMPA.
Registration Centre: Backyard of Ministry of Information & Forecourt of (Accra Central) NSS office.

Zone C (Accra East, Tema Metro, Ada East & West, Ashaiman, Lekma & Ladma)
Areas: Burma Camp, Trade Fair, La, Teshie, Nungua, Spintex Rd, Lashibi, Tema, Zenu, Ashaiman, Kpone, Ada, Kasseh, Big Ada, 37 Hospital, Airport, Cantonments, Prampram, Afienya.
Registration Centre: NSS Tema Metro Office Tema Comm 2. White house.

Zone D (Accra North, La Nkwantanang/Madina, Ga East, Adentan, Shai Osudoku)
Areas: Legon, Madina, Adentan, Frafraha, Ashaley Botwe, Ashongman, Haatso, Oyibi, Ayi Mensah, Abokobi, Pantang, Dodowa district, Adjiringannor.

NSS Metro, Municipal & District Offices

Accra Metro Central.                        Adj. Fire Service Headquarters, Makola.
La Nkwatanang/Madina.                   PRESEC - Legon Campus.
Ga West Municipality.                       Amasaman, Ga West Municipal assembly premises.
Ga Central.                                        Sowutuom.
Tema Metro                                       Comm. 2, white house Tema.
Ada East.                                            Ada, Old Ada East District Assembly premises
Ada West.                                           Sege
Shai Osudoku.                                     Dodowa, Old GES office
Ga South.                                            Prampram
Ledzekukukrowor Municipal                Near Ga South hospital, Kasoa road.
Adenta Municipal.                                Adenta Opp. West Africa SHS.
Ga East District.                                   Ashaiman, Opp Comm. 22 Police Station.
Ladadekotopon Municipal.                  Abokobi Municipal Assembly premises, Trade Fair site.

Plsss 4wd 2 all Accra Metro NSS Personnel.

Thanks.

Yours truely.

Kwame 4 NASPA PreZ......toGetheR we CaN
Please call 0244201123 or whatsapp 0266258433 for more info.

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY; The Perspective of RHODALYN ESHUN

RHODALYN ESHUN

Education is essentially concerned with going through a normal academic programme in an established institution for the purpose of knowledge acquisition and the award of certificate upon successful completion.

Industry on the other hand refers to "a group of organizations with the same primary focus  relative to the production  of goods and services to satisfy mankind" . (Agnes Odoi: Handout for Training and Development; GBUC-HRM Department 2012, Page 25)

It is a palpable fact that the overwhelming demand for realistic and scientific knowledge is what has resulted in an imperative need to bridge the disconnect between education and industry since several products of education hardly get incorporated into the world of industry.

This development could be of a specific benefit to a smaller peripheral economies which have demonstrated low levels of indigenous industrial and technological development.

As a result of that, education most especially at the tertiary levels have become increasingly important for indigenous economic development in smaller countries like Ghana.

However, the education sector can strengthen the tides with industry by ensuring a cordial relationship with industry players which will make it possible for the creation of a fascinating environment that would see students  embark on internship programmes or industrial attachments which would equip them with practical knowledge and experience in their area of specialization.

I am of the succinct conviction that, we need as a country to go beyond the knowledge and experience provided by academia to ensure hands-on experience in one's area of specialization. It is therefore incumbent on industry to train newly recruited employees especially fresh graduates as to how best they could fit well and become valuable assets in the world of work and for that matter the affairs of industry. 

To this end, one can conclude that industry has a vital role to play with respect to capacity building which takes the form of training and development for its employees

There are basically two types of training that industry might explore in order to achieve this target .

1. On-the-Job Training: having a person learn a job by actually doing it. Eg. Coaching/Understudy, Job Rotation, Special Assignment/ Project among many others and

2. Off-the-Job Training: occurs when employees are taken away from their place of work to be trained eg. Seminars, Conferences, Workshops and the likes.

Employees need to go through training for the following reasons

1. For existing employees to perform better in their various field of endeavors

2. For new employees to be able to fit into the new working environment that the organization offers and become acclimatized with the organizational culture among others.  

3. For employees to be equipped with the most current or up to date expertise to make them cope with the complexities of modern times and globalization

4. To respond flexibly to its environmental revolutions.

In the nutshell, the greatest tool and panacea to dealing with the gap between education and industry is TRAINING which ought to be conducted in the immediate aftermath of education so that the products of education can fit well in the realm of industry and accordingly contribute meaningfully towards industrial growth and development. 

Thank you.

 (NUGS Press and Info. Hopeful)

RHODALYN ESHUN

UTAG calls off strike

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has called off its five-week strike.

This was announced after leadership of the Association met their members to convey the outcome of the association’s deliberations with government on Tuesday.

UTAG withdrew their services to demand the payment of the research and book allowance.

But a statement signed by the association’s National President, Samuel Ofori Bekoe, said their decision follows “a Memorandum of Understanding signed between UTAG and government on the payment of the 2013/2014 Book and Research Allowance.”

The statement also government showed “willingness to negotiate with UTAG on its conditions of service.”

The teachers had demanded a lump-sum payment for their book and research allowance for both last year and the impending academic year.

National President of UTAG, Dr. Samuel Ofori Bekoe in an earlier interview with Citi News said: “If they say they are going to pay in September then we are taking for the past and current academic year. We are no longer going to pre-finance the activities for research”.

By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana

OVER POLITICISATION OF ISSUES & TRIBALISM, THE BANE OF OUR SOCIETY...

Prosper Dzitse Speaks.

All my life I have always seen all tribes to be equal, I have sort to see people as citizens, families, friends & loved ones with equal rights rather than as people belonging to one political party or tribe.

I am not by any means trying to take away the political affinities or tribal demarcations that God has given human kind.

I am of the firmest believe that most of our problems today as a student movement & as a country are basically due to tribalism and over politicisation of issues that affect our daily lives.

On deciding to run for NUGS President, I told myself that these were factors that I will have to contend with but will always condemn them anytime they come up & also work so hard against them.

Many of the student leaders & students I have come across on this journey lamented bitterly on the above issues and keep on crying for a leader who has fighting such factors at heart.

Anytime they are mentioned to me, I really wish you could see how my spirit sinks so low out of sorrow.

They are factors I have spent all my student life fighting against at every level I find myself.

Our public organizations keep on falling apart as a result of over politicisation. Many a public worker today, prefer to work for one political party to retain power or with the mentality of bringing their preferred political party to power. The overall result is sabotage and unproductivity which goes a long way to affect our forward march as a country.

Many a people today prefer to vote for someone from one tribe regardless of whether such a person is competent or not. 

Even at students leadership level, many a student prefer voting for someone who has one political party colour or someone from one tribe whether he/she is competent or not.

Maybe what they forget is that issues that arise against our country, against our student movement know no tribe or political colorization.

In all my tours I kept on asking the question, 'if there have been a situation whereby issues of education affected a group of students belonging to one political party as against the rest?' The answer is obvious.

Day-in-day-out we complain and cry of unsatisfactory results from our leaders at almost every level and yet we have never changed our ways. As a leader, I have maintained that we are the cause of our own problems and hence we are the solutions we seek. Leaders are produced by the system( made up of the people & all other factors combine, favourable or unfavourable) not the other way round. We know our problems, let's solve them.

Today, I tell the students and student leaders of Ghana that, we may all have political affinity, but we must never forget the moment in which we are( challenging & trying moments for students of Ghana), the people we are, (students regardless of political affinity or tribal inclinations).

We therefore need leaders who have their own conscience & work with students in mind. We need leaders who will not close their eyes on our challenges & close their ears to our cries. We need leaders who will demonstrate a high level of sensitivity towards the plight of the 'ordinary' Ghanaian student.

We need leaders who have demonstrated over the years at their various levels of leadership that they are solution providers rather than problem causers.

To those who have cried to me, to those who have called on me to do something about the above at the students level, I say it is just a matter of time & all I need is your support and prayers to make this vision a reality.

To those who may not have made up their minds to join me make this vision a dream come through for the 'ordinary' Ghanaian student, I say there is no better time than now.

It is not just a pledge I make in a vacuum, but a pledge I have vowed to keep, a pledge backed by experience & result-oriented leadership at every stage of my life & I know that even the heavens can speak in my favor.

I am humbled for the overwhelming support & pledges to support me restore hope into the student system of our dear country Ghana, we are on this journey together, let's finish what we have started.

God bless the student movement of Ghana, & God bless our homeland Ghana & make our nation great & strong.

The author is the CEO of the Institute of Mentorship & Leadership Training (IMLT), Ghana &

an aspiring 2014 NUGS President.