PRESS STATEMENT BY THE COALITION OF STUDENT LEADERS FOR ACTION (COSLA) ON THE UTILITY SURCHARGE …..SUNDAY APRIL 19, 2015….

The Coalition of Student Leaders for Action has taken keen noticed how our current NUGS National Officers led by Hon. Prosper Dzitse treats the ordinary students with disdain on the issues of government’s proposal to surcharge the already suffering student with the payment of utility bills.

The aftermath of a stakeholders meeting of which Hon. Dzitse together with Hon. Iddi Nurudeen are believed to have represented students interest have been characterized by rumors and speculations with regards to the outcome of the said meeting. There hasn’t been any official statement from the NUGS on its stance about all this utility brouhaha and seeming silence from those who were physically present in the said meeting is worrying.

The NUGS Secretary is unofficially on record to have denied that any meaningful agreement have been made between the student front and government at the said meeting. Subsequently the Deputy Education Minister in charge of tertiary education Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa is reported to have said student leaders have agreed and signed to government’s proposal of paying for utility bills starting from the upcoming academic year.

We will like to press home strongly that we are gradually losing faith in the leadership of NUGS’ ability to strongly defend and protect the interest of students of which they promised to do. We therefore want Hon. Dzitse to officially state the stance of NUGS on this matter.

The coalition will also want to unequivocally state that the Ghanaian student is on red alert and we will resist any attempt from any quarters to burden the already suffering student. Government is been reminded that under no circumstance will we pay for additional utility charges. As the Samuel Binfoh led administration resisted this move in the past, so will we do even if our current leadership fails to do same.

We will like to remind those in the helms of affairs as far as education is concern that we won’t sit ideal for education to be the reserve of the rich. Education they should remember is a right not a privilege.

Signed

Justice Edward Baah (0247822785)

Paul Kwesi Gyan (0548270430)

Oteng Amponsah Enoch (0246122392)

Thomas Takyi ( 0546060200)