A SPEECH DELIVEERD BY RAPHAEL KUMAH ABOLASOM, OUTGOING SRC PRESIDENT, UDS TAMALE CAMPUS AT THE HANDING-OVER CEREMONY HELD ON 4TH APRIL 2015 AT THE ICT AUDITORIOM OF THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES

Effective leadership is not about speeches: leadership is defined by results-Peter Drucker

Mr. Chairman, the Dean, the senior assistant registrar, senior hall tutor, head of security, representative of the National NUGS President, past SRC/Nugs executives present, outgoing executives, incoming executives, the media, invited guests, ladies and gentlemen I am very much appreciative of the fact that I’m here today, to deliver my last official speech as an SRC President of this noble institution. I must say, it has been very grueling but it was worth it. We wouldn’t have come this far as an SRC administration if not for the never ending grace of God.  

I appreciate the support we received from management of the university, student populace, friends and most of all my family. I would have loved to mention names but the list is unending. On behalf of all the executives, I say’ we are grateful for your guidance and unflinching support. I must also specifically commend the general assembly for its objectivity in its dealings. My abled team of committee heads, deputies and members, you have done yeo man’s job. I am grateful and honored that you whole heartedly worked with me and it has been a success

Mr. Chairman, distinguished ladies and gentlemen we came into office last year, on 19th of April 2014 and we in all regard upheld our promise that, ‘we won’t fail you” .

Kindly permit me, Mr. Chairman to outline our achievements as SRC in the following areas:

✅Academics

1. SRC procured and mounted 11 projectors for Tamale Campus;  thus SMHS, clinical years, and FoE Campuses

2. In our tenure as SRC, there was an extension of internet access to the LIBRARY BLOCK and addition of a different portal ‘student Wi-Fi’ to the already existing one.

3. Academic committee’s efforts and meeting with the examination officer to release time table on time for necessary corrections to be made before examination starts.

4. SRC IN partnership with GMSA organized an academic related seminar at the ICT auditorium

5. The Counseling unit partnered with the SRC to organize a career seminar for all final years.

6. The SRC facilitated the formation of the Tamale Campus debate society and its purely funded or sponsored by the SRC

7. SRC organized a career and motivational seminar for students’ during the SRC week celebration and it featured Abdul-Abass Muiz (Idea123Gh),  Abubakar Sadique (Visat 1), Baba Yemme (Ghanaweb)

✅WELFARE

8. We hosted the first ever Campus connect programme which brought to the door step of UDS Tamale students an opportunity to interact with the policy makers of our country.it featured the likes of the deputy minister of education, Tertiary,(Hon. Samuelo Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of communication, Dr Omane Boamah,Prof.Mahama Duwiejua(executive secretary National Council for Tertiary Education), Mrs Sheila Naa Boamah( Executive officer, Students’ loan trust fund) Mr Ras Mubarak,Ag. Cordinator, National Youth Authority, Hon.Joyce Bawa-Mogtari (deputy minister of transport, Hon. Fiifi Fiavi Kwety ( Min for food and agriculture)

9. In Our quest to bring the SRC to the door steps of students, we initiated

” A MORNING WITH SRC “This made it possible for students to interact with the SRC and to also expresses their grievances. It’s rather unfortunate that we could not visit all the classes. We therefore urge the incoming SRC to take it up.

10. SRC met with the leadership of the taxi drivers where an agreement was reached and that the extra charges that were paid by students when coming from town at odd hours was reduced to the normal daily taxi fares.

11. The SRC has promulgated and established the “WELFARE FUND ACT 2014” to take care of brilliant but needy students. 5% of SRC dues shall be transferred annually into the welfare fund account to cater for purposes of the fund deemed fit by the board. Copies of the document are available at the Office of the Dean of Students, Office of the SRC and the Library.

12. SRC funded the re-wiring of lecture room 6 at ICT Block. This was done to compliment the School’s efforts in addressing students’ welfare issues. If students would remember, that particular room has been without light for almost 4 years until now….

13. SRC was able to set up a vibrant housing committee, which ensured that students particularly freshmen and women sat in the comfort of their homes to secure accommodation of their choice

14. The SRC, for the first time was able to secure buses which conveyed every student who opted to join the buses to KNUST for the TTFPP orientation. Yes, it has happened before but this time round no single student was left behind.

15. In our tenure as SRC, broken seats at the lobby were repaired during the first trimester. Some of these have been broken again and we urge the incoming SRC to kindly work on that

16. Open forum was organized and for the first we witnessed an encouraging attendance where issues relating to students welfare and academics were discussed and some solutions given to some problems.

17. Faulty fans and fan regulators were bought and we replaced the spoilt ones at the SMHS library block and ICT block. This done by the SRC

18. Some faulty sockets have been replaced and work is still ongoing. This was funded by the SRC to

Compliment the efforts made by the school in addressing student’s welfare needs.

19. Activation of the Tamale Campus SRC Facebook page to keep students posted on the happenings of SRC and it now has over 1,567 likes as against 223likes when we took over last year. Thus www.facebook.com/Udstlc

20. We have also created a twitter handle for the purposes of communication between the SRC and other students. Thus www.twitter.com/UDS_TamaleSRC

21. The SRC through the procurement process has Created  the first ever functional Tamale campus SRC website thus;

www.udstamalesrc.edu.gh this will make it possible for students to access lecture notes, assignments and also ask questions in class by using the students’ portal feature on the website. 

22. SRC Constructed two notice boards for  the faculty of Education, FoE campus

23. SRC purchased extension boards for the various classes that had no extension boards.

24. Free Screening and first two doses of Hepatitis B vaccine for all first years was made possible by the SRC

25. SRC purchased and mounted 44 INCH LED TV at Faculty of education, FoE Campus

26. In our tenure as SRC, management of the faculty of Education, FoE complimented the efforts of the SRC by bringing into fruition another registration center at the FoE Campus. This gesture relieved FoE Students of the burden they had to go through to get registered on SMHS campus 

27. Furthermore, orientation for the freshmen and women also took place at graduate school for FoE students the first time.

28. Freshmen and women were given SRC souvenirs    with each student receiving

-5 exercise books,

-One SRC constitution,

-a broche and

- A POLO T-shirt.

All these items were provided after registration. This is the first time this has happened on Tamale campus.

29. Foreign Students are  represented in the executive council of the SRC by their President: Onyelusi  Evaristus

30. SRC made sure that Street lights that were faulty at the beginning of the trimester were worked on and are still  functional

31. Package and motivation for all course reps (some of whom are yet to receive their package),

         - 2 broche,

         Exercise books

32. SRC initiated and has operationalized “the monthly communication allowance support” for all substantive course representatives. This started  in  November 2014; even at a time that our funds had not been  released  by management

33. Presence of police patrol on our campus has come to boost the security of students on campus. However a lot of robbery cases still go on in the Dungu community and we urge the incoming executives to liaise with management to find lasting solutions to the situation

34. Lighting system at the clinical year and SMHS c ampuses were restored

35. The SRC through the procurement process has constructed 60 seats capacity summer huts, for Tamale Campus. Thus, 60 seats on SMHS and 20 seats at the faculty of education which is yet to be completed.

36. Registration of Associations and clubs on Tamale campus

-International students association

-upper East students Union

-Brong Ahafo Students Union

-Northern Students Union

-St Charles Old boys Association

-Midwifery Students Association

-Development Students Association

-Basic Education Students Association

-Early Childhood Students Association and many others.

37. Tamale Campus placed 2nd in football, 2nd in basketball and 3rd in volleyball at the just ended Central SRC week celebration in Navrongo.

38. SRC renovated the old notice boards constructed by our predecessors’

39. The SRC for the first time has awarded all course representatives(both substantive and deputies) certificates of honor

40. All committee allowances due the various committees have also been paid

✅SPORTS

41. SRC purchased two sets of Jerseys  for Tamale Campus

42. The SRC Purchased 5 sets of  Bips for the sports Unit

43. SRC Purchased a table Tennis board for Tamale Campus

44. Faulted satellite dish located at the medical school was replaced just a day after swearing in. This made it possible for students to watch football matches and other educative programmes on campus.

45. First ever in the history of Tamale Campus to have had sporting event inside the main Tamale sports stadium and the annex

46. Motivation and awards for associations as well as  sports men and women  who distinguished themselves during the SRC games.(cash prizes, certificates and sculptures

47. SRC initiated and has operationalized a keep fit club for students on the Tamale campus  (Both SMHS and FOE).  The sports committee, with your permission, Mr. Speaker, must be commended for such an initiative. The school participated in GUSA games; however we were medal less.

48. The SRC(faculty of education-Foe)  had Joint sporting event with Nyankpala campus

✅ENTERTAINMENT

49. AMARABA BASH at  the Hunter’s night club

50. For the first time in about 22years of the establishment of the University, we were able to secure a lecture free week for our local SRC week celebration with massive attendance. This is unprecedented.

51. A First ever street carnival held at the graduate school.(FOE)

52. First ever in the history of Tamale campus to host a national artiste ‘LIVINGSTONE BURNITON’ (STONEBOY) during THE LOCAL SRC WEEK CELEBRATION.

53. Recording of the Tamale campus Rap-cypher is also complete the video will soon be seen!!!!

54. SRC supported Miss Elsie Afriyie, a second year Community Medical Nutrition Student at the just ended Face of NUGS beauty contest held in Accra. Indeed she raised the flag of UDS higher by being the second runner up out of about seventeen participants from different institutions. We are really proud of her.

55. SRC held the love in the 80”s valentines programme

56. Tamale Campus placed 2ND in the face of UDS beauty contest held in NAVRONGO

57. Participated in the central SRC week celebration held in Navrongo. Tamale Campus made sure that out of the 6 days spent there, the buses conveyed students 5times.

58. SRC facilitated the formation of the Jama Club at FoE. It’s also funded by the SRC

✅SANITATION

59. The NUGS caucus purchased and supported Tamale Campus with dust bins

60. SRC constantly liaised with the sanitation unit and made sure the environment  and wash rooms were kept clean and tidy

✅ONGOING PROJECT OF THE SRC

1. Construction of a printing press where secretarial services will be provide and another chamber used as an office for the SRC President. It is through the procurement process

  

✅OTHER ACTIVITIES

61. SRC has paid all G.A allowances to G.A members. It is worthy of mention, that the SRC for the first time in the history of Tamale Campus paid allowances to G.A members during our first G.A meeting even though funds  from management was not ready. 

62. The SRC in partnership with the Tiger Eye screened an anti-corruption documentary on the 1st of November 2014 at the Radach conference Centre

63. SRC in partnership with #1simplestep# organized a forum on the Country’s constitutional review process on 2nd  of  December 2014 at the ICT auditorium

64. SRC vehemently took part in a press conference organized by the National NUGS office which made sure that the government rescinded its decision on the removal of subventions and subsidies to public universities. This press conference was held in Accra at the NUGS SECRETARIAT on 22nd July 2014 at UG-City campus

65. We also attended NUGS, central committee, at UCC

66. USAG NEC and senate were also attended in order to push for the interest and general welfare of students at the National Front at Christian Service University, Kumasi.

67. NUGS congress was attended at Akrokere

68. USAG Congress was also attended in Sunyani at Christian Service University. These congresses saw to the election of National Officers representing the student front

✅CHALENGES

1. Late release of funds for SRC activities and projects

2. We appreciate the temporary space given to us by the SMHS to use as office, we however still plead with management to give us a permanent location where we would be able to host our other counterparts from other universities. As it stands now it’s only Tamale Campus among the 4 UDS campuses that still does not have a standard office.

3. Failure on the part of management to offer accommodation to SRC/NUGS executives as means of remuneration though enshrined in the SRC constitution accepted by the University management

4. Over reliance of students on “item 13” before attending SRC programmes.

✅RECOMMENDATIONS

1. We recommend you review the SRC/NUGS constitution; the percentage of funds entitled to WOCOM should be increased. We will avail ourselves should you need our help in this regard and any other

2. Regularize your interactions with the students through the “morning with the SRC”

3. The SRC needs a legal person to advise it on legal matters as issues of SRC gets complicated day in day out

4. Venues for programmes should be alternated between FoE campus and SMHS

5. The SRC should liaise with the management of Faculty of Education to find a lasting solution to the transportation issue that comes up any time students from FoE are to attend ICT lectures on

SMHS campus

6. Establishment of a campus radio is worth recommending .

7. In consultation  with the Alumni President ,a Tamale Campus alumni Association should  be formed   to help in the development and growth of the SRC which subsequently could help in drawing a strategic plan for the SRC.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, the Dean, the senior assistant registrar, senior hall tutor, head of security , representative of the National NUGS President, past SRC/Nugs executives present, outgoing executives, incoming executives, the media, invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express how grateful we are to the Dean of students, he has been not just a guardian but our father as well, Sir, may God richly bless you: to the management of Tamale Campus particularly the senior assistant registrar-smhs, faculty officer-FoE, we appreciate your constant and unflinching support. On behalf of my executives, I say a very big thank you to all who in one way other contributed to our successes

We have lost good friends, good people, and heroes -- every one of them. Grief demands an answer but sometimes there is none. Our hearts and prayers go out to their families. They will be remembered, and neither will we forget those who served out of the spotlight; to whom we owe our gratitude. We will rise renewed, stronger and united. As we exit as past executives and you take over as new executives, I believe this is our time, our chance to get and give back the best of who we are. Let’s throw the match, lets burry our differences, set the past ablaze, start this new administration with the right people, right friends, right networks, and right groups even if that means you will have to “be alone.”  As time passes on, things and circumstances definitely will change and I urge you to keep keeping on….. Those we may have wronged, we ask for forgiveness and we hold no grudges against you either .I am glad we made it this far together.

Thank you for being there and for your support.

God be with you till we meet again.

Long live Tamale Campus

Long live UDS

Long live Ghana

RAPHAEL KUMAHABOLASOM

SRC PRESIDENT, UDS-TAMALE CAMPUS (2014/2015)

Endorsed for publication-SRC PRO(Ayamga Robertson-0542176440)