CONSIDER THE FUTURE OF GHANAIAN STUDENTS; NUGS APPEALS TO BOTH GOVERNMENT AND LABOUR

PRESS RELEASE BY THE NATIONAL UNION OF GHANA STUDENTS (NUGS) ON OCTOBER 31, 2014.

CONSIDER THE FUTURE OF GHANAIAN STUDENTS; NUGS APPEALS TO BOTH GOVERNMENT AND LABOUR 

The leadership of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) would like to on behalf of the Union register its serious misgivings regarding some worrying happenings that have characterized the nation's labour front with emphasis on the strike actions declared by the three teacher unions and government's posture therefrom. 

In as much as we are not and cannot take sides in this contentious matter,  we would want to insist that all the concerned parties give due respect to our labour laws.

We are fully aware that before any labour union or body can embark on strike action, then that body is enjoined by our legal regime to have exhausted all internal mechanisms of seeking redress including holding thorough negotiations and dialogue with the employer. To what extent has government on one side, and the leadership of the various labour unions on the other respected this legal provision?

  

We are also aware that per the labour Act 2003. (Act 651), clause 165, subsection 1, no labour union is allowed to go on strike while negotiations are in process. Again, NUGS wants to know the extent to which this legal provision is enforced in the scheme of things? 

In view of the foregoing,  it doesn’t appear to NUGS that this country performs creditably well when it comes to the handling of labour issues. Here, we put the blame at doorstep of both government or employer and the workforce.  A lot of us have no regard for due process and the culture of constructive engagements in labour jurisprudence. People are just not willing to make any reasonable sacrifices and compromises in the interest of the nation and in this case the ordinary Ghanaian student who is already overburdened.

We are simply losing our sense of patriotism. Government and the necessary stakeholders also appear to have lost control of the state of affairs and are only engaged in fire-fighting approaches rather than being proactive. 

In the specific case of the  teachers’ strike, it is very worrying to note that students are the ultimate brunt bearers who unduly suffer the consequences rather than the state officials or government who are the primary targets of such acts. 

The damage that strike actions cause to students or guardians are often times irreparable; however, the teachers would almost always get what they were due eventually. How more unfair could that be to the ordinary student! It is for this and other reasons that government has to be very tactical and proactive in tackling labour concerns whilst we plead that labour unions should also use due process in demanding for what is due them. The feet dragging approach by both sides will not help matters.

The effects of strike actions on the economy are immeasurably legendary. In fact, there is a direct relationship between strike actions which always result in low productivity and economic stagnation because one has to produce in order to grow and sustain that growth. With the current state of Ghana’s economy which is characterized by severe crisis, the last thing that the economy should suffer is labour upheaval and strike actions for obvious reasons.

In conclusion, NUGS wishes to make a passionate plea to the striking teachers to consider the interest of the ordinary students of this country who undeservedly suffer the ordeal of their actions and accordingly go back to the classroom while at the same time, negotiating with the government and the necessary authorities to find amicable solutions to their concerns.

We are also appealing to the government to be very professional and proactive in meeting the demands of the nation’s workforce and give them what they are legitimately due in order to avoid the reoccurrences of strike actions every now and then. NUGS will further wish to hint that failure on the part of both parties to resolve this matter by Friday 7th November, 2014, it will take further actions in order to safeguard the future of the vulnerable Ghanaian student.

Thank you.

Signed:

Rhodalyn Eshun

Press and Information Secretary

+233246701359/ +233505733880

Prosper Dzitse

President

+233546580044/+233501336136

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD; THE NATIONAL UNION OF GHANA STUDENTS (NUGS) IN PERSPECTIVE.

The world acclaimed Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 1948, and the many other protocols such as UNESCO Convention Against Discrimination in Education (1960), International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), et cetera are the basic principles upon which education is established and guided as far as the development of an individual in this Information Age and civilization is concerned.

Ghana, like many other countries in this world, has ratified these protocols and so, are enjoined by the laws of 1992 Constitution under Article 40 (1) (d) to adhere and by that, implement the principles or ideals in those documents to give to the ordinary child the right to education and the enjoyment of other facilities and opportunities that comes with it. 

The Right to education, for instance, is concretized by the UDHR under Article 26 (1) which emphatically states that, “Everyone has the right to education.” Therefore, based on the 1992 Constitution, it goes without saying in Article 12 (1) that regardless of “race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, religion, creed or gender” an individual within the purview of this land called Ghana shall, as captured also under Article 25 (1), be entitled to “equal educational opportunities and facilities”.

With the benefit of hindsight, I ask this question: do individuals or persons with right to education enjoy these fundamental human rights, and if they do, to what degree possible, are they implemented for one’s benefit? 

There are quite a substantial number of young people, most whom are above the ages of five (5) or seven (7), clearly suggesting to all who matter that they are of school-going age, but for reasons best known to both parents and government, are rather wandering on our filthy streets wasting away their untapped potential without having to, at least, sit under rusted roofs to be imparted with knowledge. 

Where pupils at tender ages should rather have time to be creative and innovative in their respective areas in order that they may be well capacitated and empowered to compete their counterparts in other parts of the world, they have rather been abandoned and “banished” to their own fate of bleak and doomed future. 

In recent times, we have worryingly had the benefit of listening to and reading reports from across this country indicating that teaching and learning materials as well as proper logistics are unavailable at the various schools to provide the necessary conditions conducive to learning to enable those at school to realize the full benefit of education.

On the one hand, pupils at school suffer all day in endless search for healthy meals and clean water to enable them study but, unfortunately, their tireless efforts, oftentimes, end up taking them, as it were, far and away from classes, and by extension, from the school premise as if this country does not have the capacity to cater for their demands at all cost. On the other hand, sadly, even the uniforms that these school kids wear to school have gradually become no less rags, so tattered in such manner as that which is apt for the wiping of the surpluses of foods around the mouths after finishing their bowls. 

Teachers are no exception in the chain of suffering. They “sacrifice” their entire lives on the altar of building powerful intellectuals and strong-base human resources only to be dictated to by the creatures of their own work in a form of payment of poor wages, over-taxation and unproductive dissipation of their resources, and hence, these rampant and ceaseless strike actions on the part of teachers virtually at all levels of our education. Unfortunately, our fragile students continue to be at the receiving end of the privations and cruelty encountered by the teachers. 

Who is to ensure that these young people, most of whom, rankled by the daunting nature of life, get the necessary opportunity to be inculcated with a sense of prosperity attainable through knowledge? Whose duties are they, to provide for the needy school children, the necessary facilities to alleviate the privations they encounter in education? The onus lies on whom to ensure that students do not encounter these same problems over and over again?

Regrettably, NUGS continues to recede in its voice and thus, gradually getting quieter as though the challenges confronting the education sector have been brought under control or minimum levels. NUGS must reposition itself in order to make the clarion calls on the authorities of the land to devise or contrive ways to 

(1) whip up enthusiasm in the hundreds of thousands of young people of school-going ages skiving at school so as to enable them find their ways back into school, and 

(2) further their efforts by improving the standards of education at all levels.

No student, not even one, deserves to go on empty stomach to school, study under deplorable and life-threatening facilities, learn without basic social amenities and above all, wear frayed uniforms to school, in the “exercise and enjoyment” of his or her fundamental human right as education, and so, students must be provided with all the “opportunities and facilities” necessary to ensure that they get the best out of their lives in terms of exploiting their potentials. 

Finally, NUGS must partner in negotiations and deliberations with those under whose tutelage the young ones flourish, so that we may be able to escape these tortuous labour agitations or better still, strike actions. Students deserve better, likewise teachers.

God bless Africa, Ghana, NUGS and all students!

Thank you!

Amadu Baba Suleman

Deputy Director (ILC)

miamithegreat8@gmail.com/024-817-1059/050-929-7716

NUGS CONDEMNS THE INHUMANE ACT OF ALLEGED SODOMISATION OF 'AZIZ' BY DR. SULLEY ALI GABASS.

We, at the National Union of Ghana Students, wish to unreservedly condemn the despicable act on the part of one Dr. Sulley Ali Gabass, a former worker at the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in Takoradi in the Western Region who has allegedly subjected a 16 year old Senior High School Student to an excruciating ordeal of sodomy that has left him bedridden for several months.

We cannot and will not entertain such infamous acts of unprofessionalism and ethical blunders on the part of those who are supposed to know better in the administration of services to the good people of Ghana.

We take due advantage of this medium to extol the remarkable efforts by the high-flying award winning investigative journalist, Mr. Manasseh Azure-Awuni of Joy fm and a proud product of NUGS for uncovering yet another unspeakable and perilous sexual exploitation which may clandestinely be flourishing in our society. 

In the larger scheme of things, we also commend the efforts by the Ghana Police Service, the media, print and electronic, and all those who matter in this exposé, for such a wonderful spotlight they have brought to bare on this shameful and unspeakable spectacle.

NUGS also wishes to intimate that we have instructed our lawyers to closely monitor how the court proceedings unfold in ensuring that justice is served to Aziz and the family.

As a body charged to ensure that the Ghanaian student is secured in order to enjoy the rights of having quality education, our interest in this matter is to ensure that the right prosecution is done and Aziz who happens to be our member is accordingly compensated. 

We would like to appeal to all stakeholders to come on board in assisting Aziz and the family in whichever way they can in these trying moments.

We also wish to convey our genuine solidarity to the victim for the ordeal inflicted upon his life by the perpetrator; whose 'devilish act' has been condemned by all right thinking members of the Ghanaian society.

To this end, we would like to caution all students, at all levels of our education, about the manner in which social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, et cetera are being utilized as they have regrettably become major tools for some uncultured people to exploit their unsuspecting victims.

We are also pleading with all parents and guardians to have special interest in what their children do and the kind of people they interact with on such platforms, this will in effect help in curbing such a menace.

Thank you.

Signed

Rhodalyn Eshun 

Press & Information Sec.

0246701359/ 0208163492

Prosper Dzitse

President.

0546580044/0501336136

UEW REJECTS 16979 UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS.

The University of Education, Winneba has rejected 16979 applicants that applied to study in the University for the 2014/2015 academic year.

This is according to Prof. Akwasi Asabre-Ameyaw the vice chancellor of the University.

Prof. Asabre-Ameyaw was speaking at a matriculation program to usher 601 students into various fields of LANGUAGE studies at the college OF language education, Ajumako campus of the university.

Prof. Asabre-Ameyaw said for the 2014/2015 academic year, 27241 applicants applied to various fields of study in the University, but the University was only able to admit 10292 students representing a meager 37.78% of the total applications received by the University.

This according to Prof Asabre-Ameyaw is as a result of the over stretched limited resources the University has.

He therefore appealed 

to the government and other philanthropist to come to the aid of the University.

Not withstanding the challenges faced by the school, the VC assured that the University is making substantial strides in the area of infrastructure development, reducing the students-teacher ratio, technology advancement etc.

The learned professor said, the University will continue to show commitment to the development of human resources for the country.

he therefore advised the students who have had access to the University to eschew all forms of social vices and take their books serious since their continuous stay in the University will depend on academic performance and strict adherence to the University rules.

In all 601 students were matriculated into various fields of language studies at the Ajumako campus of the University. 

The students were called by Dr. Charles Owu-Ewie, vice dean of the faculty of languages education, to be sworn into the school by the registrar.

story:

Kwasi Frimpong

UEW-AC 

EBOLA AND CIVILIZATION; A CALL FOR A WORLD ORDER

The emergence and rapid spread of Ebola has favorably alerted the world that it has been out of order all these while. Having originally emanated from the Congo River in 1976, the disease has stated its intentions pellucidly, that if not globally controlled, could cause mankind’s most devastating blow or coup de grace since the end of the two Great Wars of the 20th century.

The evolution of mankind has seen several stages and phases ranging from families, local communities to nations. Fortunately at these various levels of the evolution process, most of mankind’s problems have been dealt with successfully which have however caused complacency and over independency among nations. Many are the calls that tend to persuade mankind towards the need for global governance to oversee its general welfare. These appeals, nevertheless, have been met with a lukewarm reception. Notwithstanding, notable number of reasons have convinced or more appropriately, scared man towards the creation of a World Order.

The two Great Wars of the 20th century, World War 1 and 2, in addition to other devastating conflicts around the globe, have served as empirical facts justifying the need for a global system that would seek to regulate and referee the affairs of mankind but these have mainly focused on the political and economical facets leaving critical sectors like health, food, shelter etc in the remits of nations. The lukewarm approach towards the need for the total Global Order has resulted in over independency which unfortunately has ensued in apathy and irresponsibility among nations.

The outbreak of the deadly Ebola disease resonates, once again, the call for a World Order with absolute powers not only to steer the political and economical affairs of man but also to provide a superior and concerted guide or solution to pandemics like this. Gradually, economies like Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone are being crippled because of this disease claiming thousands of lives as well. The development of these countries is at the mercy of this disease due to its indirect infections on other sectors like Education, Markets, Farming, Transportation, Sports etc. Until recently, the disease has been popularly known as the ‘West African Canker’ but its unlimited contagion capability, has changed the general outlook of it according it with its rightful name or title; global public health emergency due to the intermittent reports from the United States of America and Spain on the disease. 

Though several attempts have been made by countries, non-governmental organizations and notable international bodies and foundations to take a closer look at the problem (provision of resources and aids), they have still not guaranteed the survival of the people in these affected areas. Another vivid phenomenon is the modus in which supporting countries and organizations label the sort of help they provide. Constantly, some of these countries harbor the idea of helping the people in these affected areas instead of seeing it as a responsibility. Though regional integrations are seeing the light of day, certain problems need a more concerted force to deal with them. If the world had a well-mandated Order, it would have carried this burden appropriately and efficiently with the requisite strength that is needed.

If the sovereignty and the overall protection of mankind continue to remain in the hands of nations, Ebola-like catastrophes would someday wipe the existence of man just like other, until recently, existing but extinct animals. The time is now, perhaps the only benefit that man would get from the deadly Ebola disease, and that is to institute and legally empower a global order to take up global challenges like this.

Raymond Frempong
rayfrem101@yahoo.com

College of Languages Education,Introduces Postgraduate Programs

The Ajumako Campus of the University of education, winneba also known as the College of Languages education has introduced postgraduate programs in the various fields of Language studies.

This came to light when 16 postgraduate students were ushered into the College during matriculation held for them on Thursday, 23rd October, 2014.

The 16 postgraduate students were called by Prof. Mawutor Avoke, dean of school of graduates studies to be sworn in the registrar, Dr. C. Y Akwaa-Mensah.

The 16 postgraduate students at the Ajumako Campus and other postgraduate students in other campuses of the University form the 506 postgraduate students admitted by the University to broaden their various scope of knowledge in various academic programs for the 2014/2015 academic year.

In all 1030 applicants applied to various fields of study in the University of which 506 were admitted.

Story by:

Kwasi Frimpong 

NUGS PRESIDENT

UEW-AC 

SUPPORT OUR SERVICE PERSONNEL

As a result of an ongoing investigations at the National Service Secretariat, service personnel may be disadvantaged with regards to timely payment of allowances.

However, our service personnel in spite of any possible challenges have expressed their commitment to serve the country. 

NASPA has earlier expressed its full support to the ongoing investigations; we are however mindful of the many inconveniences this may pose to the welfare of our members. 

By way of mitigating the hardships several service personnel are going through, NASPA wishes to appeal to civil society, chiefs, charity organisations, churches, individual and the general public to lend some support to our service personnel at their various posts as and when the occasion demands. 

Apart from financial support, our service personnel will deeply appreciate all other support in the form of grocery, provisions, toiletries and the necessary courtesies that will afford them a comfortable stay. 

We continuously count on the magnanimity of the nation in these times of hardship as we pledge to serve the country in the fullness of our youthful capacities. 

God bless you. 

SIGNED VINCENT EKOW ASSAFUAH JNR. PRESIDENT NASPA

APPRECIATION FROM THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT OF NUGS.

We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty God and deep appreciation to all and sundry who have in diverse ways supported us in the successful organization of the Union?s 48th Handing Over and Inaugural Ceremony which

came off last Sunday at the Conference Centre;

especially to all those that took time off their busy schedules to grace the auspicious occasion in the annals of NUGS.

We are very thankful to the SRC leadership and

Local NUGS executives of the various institutions under the Union and indeed the generality of Ghanaians for the unflinching support bestowed on us

all these while. We are also grateful for your goodwill messages and prayers in honour of the Union and wish to respectfully implore you to continually offer

us such unconditional support so that we can

together vindicate the confidence you have reposed in us.

Just as we indicated in our inaugural address, we wish to reiterate our firm assurance to the ordinary Ghanaian student that, we the 2014/2015 batch of

National Officers of the Union shall work assiduously and without any modicum of fear or favour in holding

their fort and succinctly discharge our mandate as expected. Hope is coming and hope has indeed come for the Ghanaian student front.

We recognize the fact that we have a lot to do in redeeming the apparent waning image of our beloved Union and to re-establish its relevance as a viable student front that is worthy of envy. Such

a responsibility cannot be undertaken by the National officers alone but requires a reignited

synergy and camaraderie so that with God, the

famous PROSPERous agenda shall be possible

together. That is the very least we ask from you for

the sake of your love for the Union.

We would like to use this opportunity to wish all the out gone national officers as well as all the  appointees of the Binfoh led administration well in their next endeavor. May God lead them at every step of the way.

Thank you.

Long live NUGS

Long live Student Activism

Long live Mother Ghana

Aluta Contina! Victoria Ascerta!

....Signed.....

Rhodalyn Eshun 

NUGS Press and Info Sec

Prosper Dzitse

NUGS President

GHANA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS (GNAT) - 21/10/14. PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE FORUM IN DEMAND FOR THE OPERATIONALIZATION OF THE FOUR REGISTERED PENSION SCHEMES IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE

FORUMFOR PUBLIC SECTOR REGISTERED PENSION SCHEMES

P. O. BOX M.336 Ministries, Accra Our Ref: OL\1\9

YourRef:....................................................................................................................................................

21 ST OCT. 2014

PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE FORUM IN DEMAND FOR THE OPERATIONALIZATION

OF THE FOUR REGISTERED PENSION SCHEMES IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Members of the Press,

Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen

We, the Forum for Public Sector Registered Pension Schemes (herein, after called the forum) namely:

Health Sector Occupational Pension Scheme set up by the Health Services

Workers' Union (HSWU), Ghana Registered Nurses' Association (GRNA), Ghana

Medical Association (GMA), Ghana Physician Assistants' Association, (GPAA),

and Government and Hospitals Pharmacists' Association (GHOSPA); Ghana

Association of Certified Registered Anesthetists (GRCRA).

Ghana Education Service (GES) Occupational Pension Scheme set up by Ghana

National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Teachers and Educational Workers'

Union (TEWU), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and

Coalition of Concerned Teachers(CCT);

Judicial Service Occupational Pension Scheme set up by Judicial Services Staff

Association of Ghana (JUSAG);

Hedge Master Trust Occupational Pensions Scheme set up by Civil and Local

Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG); addressed you at our initial press conference on 30 th June, 2014

on two key issues:

our rejection of the imposition of Pension Alliance Trust

our call on Government to allow the full operationalization of the Public Sector Pension Scheme

In retrospect, let us recall the actions of our Unions and Associations in the implementation of the second (2 nd ) Tier Occupational Pension Scheme within Public Services.

In 2012 at a meeting at the Castle Gardens, Osu, with His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, Organised Labour informed him that the then Minister of Finance had issued a letter imposing a Trust - The Pension Alliance Trust - on

workers in the Public Services. Organised Labour was not enthused about that action by the Finance Minister, in that,the decision was unilateral and contrary to the National Pensions Act 2008, (Act 766). Organised Labour focused its attention on Pension during the National May Day Parade held at Sekondi in 2013. Thus,the theme for the parade was "Pension it is our right and our responsibility". This clearly indicated that the unions weregoing to actively participate in and take responsibility for the management of pension schemes on behalf of their members, since the 2 nd and 3 rd Tiers of the New Pension thrive on competition to ultimately, give better Lump Sum or pension earnings to beneficiaries.

This year, 2014, during the May Day celebrations in Accra, His Excellency the President was humbly intimated by Organised Labour on the rights of unions to actively participate in the management of the 2 nd Tier Pension Scheme and that issues affecting it should be resolved amicably and expeditiously in order not to create an avoidable tension.

In our quest to seek an amicable settlement, we appealed to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Employment, Social Welfare and State Enterprises.

This was closely followed by a letter to the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations for an intervention to avoid an escalation of the tension that was building up.

We wish the press to also note that during the period there have been countless meetings and interactions with the body mandated to oversee Pensions in Ghana, that is, the National Pensions Regulatory Authority.

Besides, there have been numerous official and unofficial meetings with the Ministers of Employment and Labour Relations in a bid to get our schemes to run but to no avail.

We, members of this Forum for Public Sector Registered Pension Schemes did not rest on our oars but continued, and sought audience with His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana in July, 2014 to find a lasting solution to this precarious situation which has all the potential, not only to disturb the peace of the country, but also stall the effort being made by the Unions to protect the economic interest of their members.

His Excellency President John Mahama after listening to his advisers, including the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (IMPRA), the Minister of Finance, the then Minister of Employment and Labour Relations on one side and the Unions and Associations with Registered Schemes in the Public Services on the other, set up a Committee comprising Representatives of the Forum, the NPRA and the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations and tasked it to submit to him recommendations on the way forward within three (3) days. Since then the Committee's recommendations have been submitted to the Presidency.

In order to calm the nerves of our members, we, the Forum issued a Press Statement on 10 th September, 2014 on the challenges faced by the schemes and entreated our members to give us more time to engage Government further on the issue. It is important to note that the first group of beneficiaries under the National Pension Act 2008, (Act 766) would be retiring in January 2015. They are in the dark as to where to claim the 2 nd Tier Benefits.

The Forum, having gone through such a process and waited for this long period, have decided to use the only other means available to us to seek a redress of our grievances.

We have therefore, collectively decided to embark on an indefinite strike action with effect from Wednesday 22 nd October, 2014 to press home our demand of getting the Government to release the funds accruing to our schemes and subsequent releases, to make the public sector schemes operational without delay.

All our members should stay away from work until further directives are issued by the FORUM.

Long Live Workers' Solidarity, ALUTA CONTINUA

ISSUED THIS DAY, TUESDAY, 21 ST OCTOBER, 2014.

ISAAC BAMPOE ADDO : EXECUTIVE SECRETARY (CLOGSAG)

M.V.V.DEMANYA: AG. GENERAL SECRETARY (GNAT)

REYNOLDS O. TENKORANG: AG. GENERAL SECRETARY 1SWU)

KWAKU ASANTE-KROBEA: PRESIDENT (GNR/l)

CHRISTIAN ADDAI POKU: PRESIDENT (NAGRAJ)

STEPHEN CORQUAYE: CHAIRMAN (GHOSPA)

DR. JUSTICE YANKSON: ASST. GEN. SECRETARY FOR PRESIDENT: (GMA)

PETER K. LUMOR: NATIONAL CHAIRMAN (TEWU)

ERNEST OPOKU: PRESIDENT COALITION OF CONCERNED TEACHERS (CCT)

CALL FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

Applications are invited for the WAAW foundation 2015 scholarship available for women studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) related courses. Scholarship recipients will receive an award of $500 for the 2015 academic year.

Apply at www.waawfoundation.org

For further details please email scholarship@waawfoundation.org or contact the NUGS Women's Commissioner.


Signed:

Iris Kwafo-Mensah
(NUGS WOCOM)
0208526041

SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY PROSPER DZITSE, 2014/2015 PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL UNION OF GHANA STUDENTS (NUGS) ON SUNDAY 19TH OCTOBER, 2014 ON THE OCCASION OF 2014 NUGS HANDING OVER AND INAUGURAL CEREMONY, AT THE ACCRA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, COMMITTEE HALL 1.

Mr. Chairman, Special Guest of Honour, Invited Guests, Ministers of State, Honorable Members of Parliament, Leaders of Civil Organizations, Outgoing National Officers, the Media, Families and Friends, Colleague student Leaders, all Protocol duly observed, Ladies and Gentlemen, I deem it a great honour to stand before you today in fulfillment of article 99, clause (b) of the National Union of Ghana Students Constitution. We would like to use this opportunity to thank the Almighty God for making us see this day and as well thank all Ghanaian students, student leaders across the breath and length of this country and beyond for reposing confidence in us to serve them for the 2014/2015 NUGS year.

Mr. Chairman, to us this is not just one of those handing over ceremonies, it is an occasion to reaffirm our utmost willingness to be there for the youth and students of this country, work for them and ultimately stand for them as we have vouched on our humane and the tenets of our worthy leadership principles to be the best we can be and to stand the test of time even when progress is intercepted.

Our vision as the 2014/2015 National Officers of NUGS is to provide a leadership that will strategically place the National Union of Ghana Students on a higher pedestal both locally and internationally. This we intend to achieve through our policies and programs hinged on three thematic areas.

Good governance, Mr. Chairman, the purpose of leadership in every organization, group, society, company or country is to ensure that there is a coordinated effort towards the attainment of a known objective; it arises because only few people need to be given the mandate to carry the many on their shoulders. It is in line with the above that we seek to harmonize the student system of this country by working closely with all organizations that matter in making decisions that affect the students and the youth of this country, we will also have special interest in the operations of the various blocs under NUGS as mandated by law knowing very well that their success is the success of NUGS. As part of our good governance policy subject to the approval of the central committee of the Union as provided for in article 21 of the NUGS constitution, we intend to work closely with the Auditor General?s department, the audit units of Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service to ensure that the accounts of various blocs as well as that of NUGS? are properly audited annually. We are also declaring our tenure of office as the era of patronization of made in Ghana goods. As you can see, the whole team is in African print, we are making sure that at every local level of the student movement, this project is carried out. This is our contribution towards the building of this economy among other things. 

Proactive Leadership and Activism, Mr. Chairman, we are going to be leading the debate in matters that are related to education and youth development in this country, we are constituting a research team that will give us reports in every aspect of our educational system, this is to be done at least once every month, with the report forwarded to the appropriate quarters for the needed attention. Let me hasten to add that we will not just identify challenges, but will advance to propose concrete and well thought out solutions. We will not wait for dates for statutory payments to organizations that man education in this country elapse before we remind government, we shall be part of the process by reminding government constantly on the social contract it has signed with the people of Ghana. Organizations such as Ghana Football Association, Musicians Union of Ghana, National Youth Authority, Youth Entrepreneurship Support Fund, National Service Scheme and many others that are in charge of youth development and nurturing of talents in this country will be approached in order to have them make public the kind of benefit their activities are generating for the youth of this country. 

Mr. Chairman, it is also our intention to know the number of students on government?s scholarship in abroad and how their education is funded. This is to a large extent help curb the challenges faced over the years in relation to the release of subventions that take care of their education well as how their welfare issues are looked at.

Welfare Maximization. Mr. Chairman, we will pursue an agenda that demands value for the moneys paid by the students and parents of this country at every level, we will also call for a national debate on how to fund tertiary education in Ghana, this is very necessary at this point in time knowing how education is gradually becoming the preserve of the rich minority. We will also build the capacities of student leaders through educative seminar and symposia, this is targeted at preparing them for the corporate world after school. Mr. Chairman, we also intend to establish an award system that seeks to honour hard working student leaders and students annually. 

Mr. Chairman, I have made few observations in this country that I will like to cease this opportunity to speak on. We are all aware that societies or countries are not developed by individual political parties, they can never be developed by individual tribes or regions, neither can they be developed by individual religion, that is the more reason why it is very important for all of us to be watchful of the unnecessary tribalism, religious fanaticism and over politicization of issues of national interest in this country. The way and manner we read tribal and political meanings into every issue in our country is not helping matters, we must know that political parties will come and go but Ghana remains forever subject to divine judgment. You tune in to radio stations everyday and it is like every day is a day for political campaign in this country. We must have time for campaigning and time to concentrate and develop our country collectively. Mr. Chairman, it is sad that we still have heads of institutions that discriminate against students and workers on religious basis, we still have mission schools that will not allow people who share different faith to hold leadership positions in such institutions, we still have institutions in this country who will not admit certain kind of people in their work places or schools because of religious differences, at our level as National Officers of NUGS, we are going to fight against that in every school using the appropriate laid down means. We are also calling on the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service and all civil society organizations to be up in arms against such an archaic practice. 

Mr. Chairman, we are prepared to work with the government, and any organization or group of people who will make the progress of the students and the youth of this country a priority. We see every progressive group that has the youth and students of this country at heart as partners on this journey. That should also tell you that we will not take it lightly with any organization who will like to take the students front for granted, certainly not this time around.

Mr. Chairman, Special Guest of Honour, Invited Guests, Ministers of State, Honorable Members of Parliament, Leaders of Civil Society Organizations, Outgoing National Officers, the Media, Families and Friends, Colleague student Leaders, all Protocols duly observed, Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the path we have decided to take, this is what we have vowed to stand for, and this cannot be achieved without your support, we need your support at every step of the way in order to make this vision a reality.

God bless NUGS and God bless OUR Homeland Ghana and make OUR NATION Great and Strong.

Thank you!

Ghana National Service: A punishment?

No I don’t think so! National Service Scheme is one of the major tools for promoting nationalism among the youth for national development. But if care is not taken, it will fail to achieve its purpose.

I am therefore calling on National Service Secretariat and all stakeholders to review the scheme such that national service persons receive their first allowance upon registration, or service personnel should be given start-up allowance to leverage the initial hardship they go through at their stations before they resume work.

This is to cater for transportation cost, room rent, clothing and other necessities for work. This is because some people must travel from one district or region to the other which becomes a burden for most individuals since they have to travel away from homes, get accommodation, furnishing, pay utilities, cater for food and clothes. ALL THESE INVOLVES MONEY. You will agree with me that over the years the prices of things keep increasing in this economy.These things become a major challenge for most service personnel and hence refuse to accept their postings and put a lot of pressure on officials to influence postings and re-postings.

I believe that if allowance is given before the start of work this will reduce pressure on government officially, family and other relatives to influence postings. It will also reduce bribery and corruption of some ‘officials’ who demand money to manipulate and influence national service postings.

Vera Addo

Youth Empowerment Synergy (YES Ghana)

addovera@gmail.com

THE OLD HAND CHANGES FOR A FRESH ONE!!!

Obedience to transitional provisions arguably is the climax of 20% representation of the success of an administration.

Today,as GUPS officially dedicates the mantle of leadership to fresher hands to man the affairs of the Union, we at NUGS believing in the competence of the new crew led by a humble servant, have a firm believe that the new leaders will inject fresh blood into the Union in achievement of the hopes and aspirations of the people they serve.

It is our hope and prayer that the professional union would be strategically repositioned to deliver on the mandates of the people under its jurisdiction.

Even as we wish them a blissful ceremony, we will also call on all and sundry to patronage the occasion while pleading with everyone to unite behind the new leadership for the journey ahead. We are of the believe that a success chalked in GUPS, is a success chalked in NUGS. Kudos.

GUPS!!!THE UNION, GUPS THE PROFESSIONALS !!!

Signed : 

Rhodalyn Eshun
NUGS Press and Info Secretary-elect

Prosper Dzitse
NUGS President-elect.

NUGS STANDS IN SOLIDARITY WITH ITS CONSTITUENTS IN CZECH REPUBLIC !

The National Union of Ghana students has confirmed reports from the Czech Republic on how one of its members was treated on suspicion of having the Ebola virus.

What crime does one commit by going overseas to further his education? We strongly believe education is a right and not a privilege and we will forever stand by this belief.

The International Relations Secretariat of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) further confirmed that as a result of the suspicions, further test which was carried on the said student eventually proved negative.

We are very perturbed by this unfortunate news and would want to use this medium to register our utmost displeasure on how the said student was treated. We believe the way he was treated on a mere case of suspicion was utterly wrong and unacceptable. Anyone having gone through this situation will be emotionally shattered and that might jeopardize his/her academic progress.

To that effect, we are urging the Ghanaian mission in the Czech headed by Hon. Zita Okaikoi to pursue this matter to its logical conclusion in order to prevent future occurrences. We are also by this notice praying on the mission to make sure that our colleague is duly apologized to and compensated accordingly.

NUGS would also like to use this medium to advise all and sundry to be very cautious in their day to day dealings so as to protect themselves from the deadly Ebola virus.

Long Live NUGS

Long Live Ghana.

ALUTA CONTINUA , VICTORIA ASCERTA

            SIGNED

Anthony Abavelim 

NUGS International Relations Officer Elect.

( +233248920775 )

Prosper Dzitse 

NUGS President Elect.

( +233546580044 / +233501336136 )

NEW NSS BOSS - DR. MICHAEL WHYTE KPESSA

 

The National Service Scheme has suffered a severe mauling for weeks on account of a payroll scandal which was a bother to all including NASPA the major stakeholder of the Scheme.

According to preliminary investigations by the Bureau of National Investigations, some managers of the Scheme ‘ballooned’ the number of service persons by close to 23,000 in July which allegedly defrauded 7.9 million Ghana cedis of Ghanaian tax payer’s money.

As patriotic Ghanaian youth with the development of our country as a priority, we frown on such acts, hence welcome the decision of the President to appoint Dr. Michael Whyte Kpessa as the interim Executive Director of the Scheme.

NASPA is hopeful in its conviction that Dr. Kpessa with his track records and being a front liner of youth activities will once again redeem the enviable image of the National Service Scheme whiles we humbly and fervently advise him to be very circumspect and BEWARE OF POTENTIAL VAMPIRES who may be within the Scheme.

We wish him all the best and ready to support him to make all Service Personnel see National Service as a call to duty rather than a curse.

NASPA PRESIDENT

VINCENT EKOW ASSAFUAH JNR

0243717050

SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS

THE JAVSALYNN FOUNDATION; one of the registered youth-focused organisations involved in Scholarships and overseas education placements will hold a conference on the criteria for accessing it scholarship scheme on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at the Alisa Hotel, Ring Road Central, i.e., near World Bank Office, opposite GBC, at 9:00 am prompt. 

You are by this notice invited to participate in this conference of a life changing nature.

PLC CONTACT P.D. ORCHILL ON 0201114068 OR 0249774457 to secure your participation in this conference.

Rate: GHc. Free 

Item 13 is rest assured.

SERVICE TO GOD AND MAN; PAWA 2014!!!

It is really a great privilege and a high honor for me to have another opportunity to serve in the student front.

I do not envisage an end to this victory,I was not only determined to win just the position, but to win PEACE, COLLABORATION and EMPOWERMENT.

I have no new dream to set forth, but to rather urge a fresh faith in the old dream. You have ushered on me a great responsibility; to stay close to you, to be worthy of you, and to exemplify what your aspirations and hopes are.

Lets create together a new National spirit of unity, patriotism and trust.

I believe your strength can compensate my weakness, and your wisdom can minimize my mistakes. Lets learn together, laugh together, pray together and above all, face the seemingly insurmountable challenge of our youth decadence in uni-some.

The dream of NUGS must endure forever, we must once again have full faith in our enviable union. Comrades, through this act of having faith in our union, we will be more stronger and formidable than before. Let our past mistakes bring a resurging commitment to the basics principles of NUGS and let us continue to imbibe objectivity into our discourse and agree to disagree.

In our going forward, we must club ourselves with all the arsenals at our disposal as a union.

NUGS must fashion out a resilient advocacy in line with the dictates of the national constitution, to address appropriately, the daunting issues on education, unemployment, health, and unravel the mystery of corruption and the overbearing educated illiteracy rate facing the nation.

My wholehearted prostrations to the Almighty for sprinkling his blessings upon me through out this journey and, most especially for seeing me through to the end successfully.

I am greatly beholden beyond words to express my deep sense of gratitude and a great privilege to benefit from the able and highly exceptional guidance of the various SRCs and Local NUGS secretariats.

I deem it my privilege in expressing my fidelity to Madam Akua Asantewa Adusei (C.E.O. of my campaign team), for her munificent acquiescence and meticulous reasoning to refine the team and most explicitly to reckon with the set standards. Ineffable in my gratitude and sincere thanks to her and the rest of the team members; Fineboy, Ogidi, Alfred, Eddy, Agyare, for their transcendent suggestions and efforts to embellish the PAWA agenda.

It is time to surface out my genuflect love and affection and gratitude to my beloved family. Diction is not enough to express my unboundful appreciation and regards to my twin brother Peter for the moral, physical and financial support in this enterprise.

Words fail to expres my gratitude to my dear brother Goodfellow and sister Selasie; your presence in the race was worthy of emulation and has beaten me up into a good shape. Special gratitude to the current national executives for their effort; special mention to Miss Pearl Agness Dontoh( who will soon hand over the baton to me, justified by God) Thanks to the good people of Ghana and beyond for the opportunity......

SERVICE TO GOD AND MAN; PAWA 2014!!!

Paul Worlanyo Adanu ( NUGS Coordinating Secretary-elect)

NUGS SALUTES ALL TEACHERS!!

On this special occasion of World Teacher's Day, the National Union of Ghana Students wishes to add its voice to the many in the acknowledgement of the sacrifices our teachers render onto the society. Exclaiming to the popular parlance of " if you can read this,thank a teacher", we would like to say kudos to all men and women in the noble profession. 

Indeed, the efficacy of love demonstrated by teachers in educating us cannot be overemphasized especially in making regimental progression into the development and growth of the nation, inter alia with the complete embodiment of our individual development. 

The Secretariat however,bemoans passionately the disposition of some teachers with respect to the lackadaisical ways in which they contribute to the growth of the people and makes an appeal to the government as a matter of urgency to better the lots of our noble teachers whose contributions cannot be grossed over in the development of our dear country.

Ayekoo to all teachers.

Signed;
Rhodalyn Eshun
NUGS Press and Information Secretary Elect

Prosper Dzitse
NUGS President Elect.

GHANA’S EDUCATIONAL SYETEM IS THE MOST HILARIOUS JOKE

Another academic year has just begun, What is astonishing is the fact that teachers are back to work in an environment where basic logistics for teaching and learning are lacking.

The Deputy Minister of Education call on teachers to eschew absenteeism. I wonder if teachers are suppose to be in school to do nothing.

One would have thought that by the time school reopen Ghana Education Service would have supplied everything needed to aid in the work of teachers. Instead

Their main concern was to terminate the appointment of pupil teacher.

The is no provision of Capitation Grant, chalk, Registers, Lesson Note books, Report cards, continue assessment etc. when u complain they will ask u to improvise (that's Free Education). I wonder where they expect us to get the funding from.

Our educational system value is gradually being reduced, and our leaders educate their children abroad.

Successive governments succeeded and continue to succeed in deceiving gullible Ghanaians into thinking that they have something to offer but they did not and continue not to tackle the root problem.

This is just a wake up call for all PTA SMC, Parents and all concern citizens.

Kojo Gudugbey

THE SLEEPING NUGS ...THE PLIGHT OF NATIONAL SERVICE PERSONNELS

Most challenges of NSP are traceable to govt and the laziness of National unions of students. While inadequate allowances are a major problem, it is important to state that personnels problems go beyond this.

Surprisingly, governments over the years seem to be oblivious of these challe

nges and not NUGS or USAG seem to have the solutions either. Corruption remains a key challenge. The headlines of Ghana's Daily Graphic within these few days explains it all. Directors of NSS in various districts dolling out various sums of monies to the BNI to conceal their evil deeds which has cost the tax payer GH 7.9m in Just a month.

So I took time off to experience what new personnels go through. And I must say the experience is shocking and demoralizing. Northern and Volta regions taught me bitter lessons and provoked the writing of this piece.

National sevice Personnel go through fire to 'service' their nation. Officials at various NSS are unfriendly and treat service personnels with disdain. Just a simple question of enquiry irritates the officers. Yet,there are no notices that direct or answer these questions.

Making issues worse for students, personnels are made to travel to regional capitals of their postings to register. Why must this be the practice? In this age of science and technology, where things are done easier, faster and simpler, personnels are made to travel several kilometers only to register. This remains a puzzle. Such a system, practice and policy is not only frustrating but also a perfect means of meandering the very purpose for the establishment of the National Service Scheme. Personnels sleep at regional registration centers in order to be able to register before the deadline. I got to Tamale at 4:15am and fifteen minutes later,I was at the regional scretariat to be the forty-seven person in the queue. I met students from almost all tertiary institutions all over Ghana. Most pathetic scenario was that, after registration personnels would have to carry their luggage and start the journey to their places of posting. So, take for instance a student who completed University of Ghana or Cape Coast University and has been posted to a village in Kpandai in the Northern Region. These personnels would have to go and register at Tamale NSS before proceeding to his or place of posting.Can you imagine the frustration? 

And why must personnels be made to pay registration fees? What does it cover? How should personnels fund this registration while they are unemployed? What is the purpose of the registration fee? Surprisingly, the NSS has no policy of paying or refunding transportation cost of personnels to their places of postings.

And NUGS that is expected to champion the cause of students by making concrete suggestions to government and stakeholders to address these challenges remain only interested in drowning itself in unnecessary court wranglings and its leaders using their positions to prepare themselves for national politics. There is now so much doubt about the veracity of NUGS whether it still exist to continue to discharge its traditional duties or will remain an organization that its leaders will continue to exploit for their whimsical and parochial interests. In unequivocal expressions, NUGS has failed the students of Ghana and there is no signal that it is going to be better in the days to come. I have a compelling haste to keep asking what relevance is NUGS to the Ghanaian student today. NUGS must act swiftly and begin once again to feverntly serve the interests of students. NUGS leadership must wake up from their slumber and give meaning to student activism once more. All students expect NUGS to busy itself with addressing problems confronting them including ensuring that National Service Personnels are not subjected to such ordeals.

The Sleeping NUGS MUST WAKE UP!Ghanaian Students abreeeeee, National Service Personnels Deserve Better.

RAYMOND AMEDZE,UG.

(0246747514)