Public universities in Ghana risk neglect from past students – Research

Public universities in Ghana risk neglect from past students – Research

Source: Ghana|Richard Kwadwo Nyarko|quajo2009@gmail.com

A Research Fellow at the Institute for Educational Planning and Administration at the University of Cape Coast, Dr. Michael Boakye-Yiadom, is warning the country’s tertiary institutions risk losing support from their past students if students’ services are not prioritized.

The worry of the research fellow stems from a research that indicates that many students in the country’s tertiary institutions have become apathetic towards their alma mater because they were treated unfairly when they were in School.

According to Dr. Michael Boakye-Yiadom, starting from when students are admitted to when students exit their various programs on the campuses of the universities in Ghana, conditions that will make students excel and bring out the best in them are conspicuously missing.

“Most university authorities in Ghana do not think about the interests of students but gloss over and inflict a lot of emotional and psychological pressures on the students. Many university lecturers who are paid to supervise the work of students behave as if they are doing the students some favours. Today, most students fear to approach lecturers with their concerns and challenges because the lecturers do not care about the needs of the students”, he intimated.

The practice, he said has culminated into many an alumnus of the public Universities in Ghana unwilling to go back to their universities they attended to offer support or render services to them.

“The best schools in the world have innovative students’ services on their campuses. They have student centered campuses; they have positive campus environment that enhances learning and teaching. If we don’t have students, we don’t have Universities. Without students there are no lecturers; without students, there are no Vice Chancellors. For me, the students are the most important people on the University campuses that school authorities have to pay attention to. Students should be able to have very good memories of their alma mater. Very soon, when a student goes to a public university and is not treated better; the students would be able to seek transfer to another private University that will treat them better with top-notch students’ services. The relationship between students and lecturers should get better”, he indicated.

Dr. Michael Boakye-Yaidom said student services should become an important part of the accreditation process.

According to him, when students services becomes a part of the accreditation process, the leadership of the universities will prioritize student services, that way they would have lots of memories from school.

“The National Accreditation Board should scrutinize the institutions very well before granting them accreditations to run their programs. From time to time, it should review the performances of the institutions to ensure whether students’ services are at the heart of what they do”, he averred.

Dr. Boakye-Yiadom is courting the support of Authorities of tertiary institutions in the country through what he calls “Students First Campaign” to improve students’ services in the Country’s Univers

DEMAND FOR SCHOOL MANAGEMENT AND THE 2014/2015 SRC ADMINISTRATION TO ENSURE THAT HANDING OVER IS DONE WITHIN SEVENTY-TWO(72) HOURS TO THE 2015/2016 SRC EXECUTIVES ELECT.

CONCERNED STUDENTS,

UNIVERSITY OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES,ACCRA

P . O . BOX LG. 149 – LEGON,

ACCRA – GHANA.

WEDNESDAY 24TH JUNE, 2015.

To:  All Media Houses -

For immediate Release

DEMAND FOR SCHOOL MANAGEMENT  AND THE 2014/2015 SRC ADMINISTRATION TO ENSURE  THAT HANDING OVER IS DONE WITHIN SEVENTY-TWO(72) HOURS TO THE 2015/2016 SRC EXECUTIVES ELECT.

Our attention has been drawn by the conduct of the outgoing SRC President and his executives of a calculated attempt of gross disenfranchise and illicit machinations ongoing against the newly elected officers, as well as the unfair interference of certain management members in the determination of the validity of our SRC Executives elect for the 2015/16 academic year.

Per the provisions of the UPSA SRC Constitution (schedule 1(1&2) states clearly the transition and handing over process respectively. In addition, schedule 1(2a) of the same constitution states explicitly that “the SRC shall hand over to the newly elected SRC within twenty-one (21) working days after the election process of the new executive council, by which time all Departmental Associations and Unions have handed over”. Despite the fact that it is two (2) months now after elections and Departmental Associations and Unions have executed these provisions of their hand over, the SRC is yet to make any move in that regard. 

This worrying concern has been our motive behind writing this release in order to  seek clarity and the way forward as far as the SRC on UPSA campus is concerned.

We were in humble expectation that, transitional processes as spelt out by schedule I of the UPSA SRC constitution should have taken place as follows;

Change of signatories to the incoming executives shall be done at least three (3) days before handing over.

The incumbent SRC Auditor and Chairman of the Judicial Council shall take the incoming SRC President, Financial Controller and Treasurer around to see all movable and immovable assets of the SRC, at least three (3) days before handing over.

Outgoing Executives shall be responsible to give the needed orientation to the incoming executives before handing over.

All necessary office keys and documents shall be handed over to the incoming executives at least three (3) days before handing over.

These breaches of the supreme constitution of the SRC have seriously become a worry and cause for concern to the entire students of the University of Professional Studies, Accra. 

The facts of the matter for concerns are as follows:

Its barely two months now since the election of these new executive officers and the sitting SRC president (Mr. Kris Obodai) has severally made open statements of his administration not going to hand over because he had a preferred set of candidates who lost. Thus, being evident in his undue disregard to the executive elects, no recourse to any orientation or transition processes till date.

All attempts to reach the Dean of Students on the issues at all times proved no better outcome except singing the same songs of the president and threats that the officers elected is not recognized by him as well and that on several occasions reiterated managements bid to re-run this year’s elections.

Further probing into the reasons for the failure in our transition process and handover has disclosed a sudden surprising petition for which we,(the students) are not officially aware nor the elects even a party to.

That a committee has been set up by management embodying membership certain senior members of staff who has very personal interests in the said student petitioners who woefully lost the elections. This panel is supposedly to sit to hear the issue with the possible outcome of annulling the SRC elections or over turning the mandate of the students in the last two months SRC elections to which the Dean of students as reiterated that severally head of the hearing of the matter.

Strangely in the history of UPSA SRC, just before elections, we students had witnessed an emergency SRC General Assembly that the Chairman (Mr. Kris Obodai) who couples as the SRC President, miraculously issued an unconstitutional veto power of dissolving the only student court (Judicial Council), leaving them incapacitated and unrecognized by him, the SRC President (Kris Obodai) and even our dean of students. Hence, no student competent legal jurisdiction to address SRC issues on campus.

It is very surprising that since April that student elections were conducted, issues of this nature never came up until almost July when all students of the University are gone for vacation, leaving we, the students of UPSA to question the brain and intents of the SRC President (Mr. Kris Obodai), the Dean of Students (Mr. Mawuli Feglo) and some others (names withheld) for now.

Finally, official reports captured and presented to the entire student body, the SRC President, SRC General Assembly, SRC Audit Council, Dean of Students by the able students elected electoral commission indicates that “the 2015 SRC general elections that the commission organized and supervised has been overly successful and that the elections was constitutional and conducted in the spirit of free, fair and transparent elections with students officers elect being” (Mr. Dela Dumenu, SRC Electoral Commissioner)

Although we recognize and acknowledge the good intents of UPSA management at all times towards the SRC and students front, we are afraid now, because the recent developments and posture of certain individuals and members interest in this matter is leaving doubts in our minds that the best interest of students and our council this time will be uphold.

Our decision for this action emanates from the above stated facts, and that;

If it is even right that the reputed Students’ Affairs (management court) should sit on such a case and come to a decision that the SRC general elections should be re-run or overturned to favor the candidates the students voted against, we the elected executives would still play a critical role as in the annals of leadership. In this regard, we would be greatly affected by the decisions of the Students Affairs committee and in the utmost interest of justice and fairness call for due process to be recognized and followed. 

The word party in law means any interested persons. However, we the entire students have a real interest in the matter but unfortunately have been kept in the dark on the proceeding issues for which we fear any conclusive decision might not be in the interest of all. So the right platform should be given to us to also express our views. Thus if even there exist any genuine issues about the elections.

We also emphatically state that we do not have confidence in the said Students Affairs Committee based on the posture of some of it members, the interference of the dean of students and the SRC President who has taken sides and that if it should be a fair representation, then all stakeholders including us (students and even the officers elect) must be involved. Hence, a new body should be formed that will be independent and fair before we can be satisfied with any outcome.

Notwithstanding, prior to the hearing of any of this case, we students and other stakeholders have been concerned about the transition process and a lot of emotions have been generated out of this, which is evident in our exhibit representing the voice of the students claiming the elections were true and fair and that their true mandate must hold and stand for justice and fairness to prevail in the student front of UPSA.

We call therefore, in the utmost spirit and letter of the UPSA SRC constitution that the outgoing SRC President (Mr. Kris Obodai) and his entire administration MUST IMMEDIATELY hand over within 72 HOURS and if they ignore, the student front from SRC, GUPS, NUGS and the management of UPSA should expect a further actions.

We, the students are very confident in ourselves and believe the student movement of UPSA is overly capable of managing and handling its own affairs.

It must be put on record that the 72 hours ultimatum must be respected.We the undersigned and other stakeholders are willing to take very serious further actions (of getting the incumbent officers out of office or ensuring that the true mandate of we, students holds) if we see no move is taken immediately to get the right things done. 

THANK YOU.

YOURS, IN THE STUDENT SERVICE.

Signed:

Mr. Tamatey T. Bright         Concerned  Student  (0244499552)

Fred Nii Dodoo  -                 Concerned Student (0275763717)        

 Evans Amardi -                      Concerned Student gt        

Osei Sefa   -                               Concerned Student      

Robert Quaye -                            Concerned Student

INAUGURAL SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY EDMUND BADU, SRC PRESIDENT- UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION WINNEBA – KUMASI CAMPUS ON JUNE 18, 2015

Mr. Chairman

Our Father and Mentor, the Vice Dean of Students' Affairs

Industrious Members of the electoral commission present

Your Lordship, the SRC Chief Justice 

The National NUGS Secretary, Iddi Muhayu-deen, who I describe as my Chief of

Staff

Outgoing SRC and NUGS executives

The Media

Colleagues Elected Executives

Fellow Students

Ladies and Gentlemen

In commencement, I wish to on behalf of the newly elected executives, express my sincere gratitude to all and sundry herein present; especially the discerning students of this noble institution who have reposed much confidence in us to man the affairs of the local NUGS and SRC secretariat for the next academic year. My colleagues and I are indeed very honoured and gratified for that glorious opportunity to act as your servants and wish to thank you very much for that courtesy.

I also wish to use this momentous occasion to salute the SRC electoral

commission for organizing arguably, the most peaceful elections in the history

of COLTEK (College of Technology Education) which produced the finest student leaders the institution can ever have. We say ayekoo to the electoral commissioner and his gallant staff.

Just as the adage goes, “Everything has its time. Just as there is time to be

borne, so there is time to die. Just as there is time for happiness and euphoria,

so there is time for sadness and melancholy. Time tends to run very fast only

when you are having the better part of it. That is the reality of life”. Just a year

ago at this very auditorium, I remember with great nostalgia, memories of the

euphoria that greeted this very hall when the Evelyn-led administration, formerly Andy-led administration took over the baton of leadership from the then Sapore-led administration. It was indeed a great occasion that we all relish; due to the smooth transition witnessed at the time.

I wish to on this solemn note stand on behalf of the over 15,000 students of

COLTEK comprising of regular, evening, distance and sandwich students to

salute the immediate past local NUGS and SRC executives led by Atibilla

Asaana and Evelyn Antwi respectively for how far they have brought their

respective secretariats in championing the welfare of the students of this noble

institution and beyond. They have really done well and are therefore deserving

of our commendations. “Nipa ye adea, ose ayeyi”.

Having said that, I must also be quick to admit that; as fallible humans as they

are, they had a lot of shortcomings and challenges which militated against their

efforts to live up to expectations. Fortunately, my team and I have more than

what it takes to overcome the challenges confronting the students of this

institution. So students should be rest assured hope is coming and indeed hope

has come INSHA ALLAH.

Today is the day; where history beckons all of us as students of COLTEK, today is the day where greatness has come for the students of COLTEK, today

is the day where the students of COLTEK shall bid farewell to the culture of

hopelessness, oppression, suppression, depression, frustrations, mediocrity,

ineptitude, injustices, maladministration and other negative enterprises. To

paraphrase the great Martin Luther King Jnr who once said that “throughout

history, it is the indifference of those who should have known better, the lack of

the voice of justice when it matters most, the inactions of those who should

have acted; that have allowed evil to triumph in society”.

It is a high time students of COLTEK stood up to be counted. We must rise up

and fight injustices and maladministration in our institution. If it must be done,

then it must be done NOW, NOW and NOW. With Edmund and his gallant team,

I can assure all of you that we shall get to the promise land without any shred

of doubt.

The Edmund-led administration would be anchored on the vision, “Building a

formidable and all inclusive SRC that would cater for the general well being of

the ordinary student of COLTEK”. Meaning, we are solemnly pledging that we

shall galvanize all the best brains and human resources at our disposal

regardless of religious, ethnocentric and departmental considerations because it is the interest of the ordinary student of COLTEK that matters; and not where

one is coming from. My administration will also run an open door policy where

students’ concerns shall be addressed with all alacrity 24/7.

I wish to at this juncture stand on behalf of my colleagues, the newly elected

executives to re-iterate my strong commitment to ensuring that we make-do

with our campaign promises and successfully implement all our proposed

programmes and projects that would greatly benefit the good students of this

noble institution. Yes we have promised you a lot of goodies ranging from

academic projects; to social welfare projects; to entertainment projects; to

security project; to sanitation projects; to major infrastructural projects as well

as sports and games projects among several others. We are not going to relent

in our efforts in ensuring that all those projects come to fruition.

There is no doubt that a lot is expected from us. We have no reason to fail you

and therefore CANNOT fail you. We have signed a social contract with you and I

make a solemn pledge that we shall certainly deliver on our promises INSHA

ALLAHU. We are going to give you more than enough reasons to be proud of us

as your leaders. We are going to rise up to the occasion, effectively challenge

the status quo so that we can get the very best for our students. We are in

effect, going to ensure that confidence is restored in student leadership.

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and gentlemen, my inaugural or acceptance speech would be incomplete if I fail to respectfully appeal for your maximum cooperation and support for myself as the premus inter paris and my other colleagues whom you have mandated to serve you. The work load is laborious and therefore requires all hands on deck so that we can effectively discharge our mandate and accordingly vindicate the confidence you have reposed in us. It is a no secret that without your cooperation and unwavering support, there is absolutely no way we can succeed. Do not forget that the success of the Edmund-led administration is your success and for that matter the success of COLTEK. YES greatness is coming so let’s all embrace it wholeheartedly for love of God and country. My colleagues and I are once again very grateful for your cooperation and support in advance.

Thank you.

Aluta Continua!!! Victoria Ascerta!!!

Long live the UEW-K

Long live mother Ghana

Signed

Edmund Badu

SRC President, UEW-K

(0543330771/0262025760)

NUGS SPEAKS ON THE CANCELATION OF SOME BECE PAPERS WITH A CALL FOR AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION.

18th June, 2015.

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has received with great shock and bemusement, news of the CANCELATION of some of the papers in respect of  the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and as such, wishes to register its unwavering misgivings on the matter with a strong CALL for a proper investigation with the view to unraveling all the facts of the case and punish all the culprits involved.

It would be recalled that, in a press statement dated, June 17, 2015 issued by the West African Examination Council, the Body made it clear that it had "discovered to its greatest dismay and disappointment that some of the papers of the ongoing BECE have been compromised" and accordingly have decided to CANCEL them. The papers, according to WAEC include English Language 2, Religious and Moral Education 2, Integrated Science 2, Mathematics 2 and Social Studies 2. 

"The compromised papers will be re-administered on 29th and 30th June, 2015", the statement added and also hinted of an investigation to unearth the full facts of the malpractice and punish offenders in its quest to demonstrate its strong abhorrence for examination malpractice and protect the sanctity of its certificates.

The Union vehemently condemns in no uncertain terms this infamous practice which is certainly a drawback on the various strides the nation's education sector has chalked over the years in terms of the quality of its products. The sub-regional examination body, WAEC is simply failing the nation and ought to be challenged to rise up to its core mandate. It is no more newsworthy to hear of leakages of examination papers nowadays superintendent by the body. 

NUGS believes that this recent scandal should be a wake-up call for a complete overhauling of WAEC as the first step of ensuring a permanent solution to this deleterious canker. The institutional indiscipline and impunity ought to stop now so that authorities can take ultimate responsibility for their actions and inactions. Enough is enough! If we must act, then it has to be now or never. For how long would innocent students or candidates continue to unduly suffer from the negligence of officialdom? A travesty of justice that is.  

WAEC tells us of internal investigations anytime such issues happen; yet we are never made to know the outcomes of such investigations. How can WAEC investigate its own? No wonder it doesn't end up anywhere. 

It is in the light of this that NUGS welcomes the decision by the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) to takeover this very investigation to unravel this monstrous mystery. The Union wishes to challenge the BNI to do a perfect job in the interest of justice and accordingly implore all and sundry to cooperate with the BNI investigation so that this matter can be dealt with once and for all.

In conclusion, we wish to use this medium to assure our constituents especially those affected by this that, the Union is with them in these challenging times and shall stop at nothing to ensure justice in the matter and also work towards preventing possible future occurrence.  

Thank you.

Signed.

Rhodalyn Eshun

Press and Information Secretary

(024 670 1369)

Prosper Dzitse

President

(0546580044)

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STATEMENT FROM THE NATIONAL UNION OF GHANA STUDENTS (NUGS) ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2015 BASIC EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION (BECE)

15th June, 2015.

Today,  Monday, June 15 marks the beginning of the 2015 BECE for some 438, 030 students comprising 229,724 males and 208,306 females who are expected to sit for this year's exams. In the light of this, the leadership of National Union of Ghana Students wishes to on behalf of the Union humbly join all well wishers to wish them the best of LUCK in their papers. 

We are very much aware of the difficulties they've been through in copping with their books amidst this seemingly intractable power crisis bedeviling the nation. Nonetheless, the Union is very hopeful that their sacrifices and endurances over the years will not be in vain. We wish to congratulate them in advance for a successful feat. 

As we wish them success in the impending exams, we also wish to admonish them to strictly adhere to all the examination rules and regulations and eschew 

every act of examination malpractice that might mar the beauty of this all important exercise in their educational journey and possibly put them at the wrong side of the law. 

The union takes due cognizance of the assurances given by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the Ministry of Education of a satisfactory preparations and arrangements to ensure an uninterrupted process and wishes to commend them on that.  

We further wish to implore the candidates, who are of course our constituents, to be very confident in themselves and upbeat of a successful engagement.

It is once again our wish and prayer that they find the examination very 'easy' and accordingly come out with flying colours that would give pride to their parents or guardians, their respective schools and indeed the Nation at large.

Thank you.

Signed.

Iddi Muhayu-deen

NUGS General Secretary

(0245335197)

Prosper Dzitse

NUGS President

(0546580044)

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NUGS WOMEN'S COMMISSION CONGRATULATES FRANCISCA OTENG MENSAH

The Women's Commission of the National Union of Ghana Students will like to extend warm congratulations to Miss Francisca Oteng Mensah on her election as the Parliamentary candidate of the New Patriotic Party for the Kwabre-East constituency.

Indeed her victory is not only an inspiration to all youth across Ghana but a feather in the cap for young women across the globe.

In an Era where the issue of empowerment and gender equality is raising heated debates, her single action of courage goes a long way to deepen our belief in equal abilities of the sexes and hope in the Youth of this nation.

We wish Miss Franca Oteng Mensah success in the parliamentary election come 2016. And we go ahead to wish her a successful term in Parliament and a very successful career in politics.

Signed:

Iris Kwafo-Mensah
(Women's Commissioner)
National Union of Ghana SVCtudents (NUGS)

M: 0208526041 / 0576812512
E: nugswocom2014@gmail.com

PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ASSOCIATION OF GHANA(USAG) ON THE GOIL STATION EXPLOSION AND FLOODS.

The University Students Association of Ghana(USAG) would like to on this day join the country in mourning the over 200 lives lost from the combined effects of the GOIL filling station explosion and the torrential floods that gutted Accra.

Infact, the shockwaves were felt all over the country and we wish to extend our condolences on the bereavement caused by the unexpected deaths of innocent and unsuspecting people.

We want to extend our condolences to the students especially the university students whose parents were involved in this tragic experience.We pray the love of God enfolds you all during this difficult time.We know no amount of words and diction can ease the loss you feel but please accept our deepest condolences.We hope that you find courage and strength to bear this irreplaceable loss.

"In the spirit of ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country ", USAG wants to charge all students especially the university students to serve as ambassadors of sanitation by applying what they have learnt in school on sanitation in their respective localities and communities.By doing this and also sensitizing the people on what they need to know about flooding, its causes,effect and precautionary measures, individual efforts would be made to curb and control this unfortunate annual happening.

Again, USAG wants to also charge the Government to take bold decisions and clear all containers,shops and properties that have been mounted along water ways.Such properties should be cleared off to allow the free flow of water(rains)

It has also come to the notice of USAG that those who suffered different degrees of injuries have not just been admitted but also needs blood.While we mourn and pray for the departed souls,we also have an opportunity to help save those in critical conditions.We are by this statement entreating all students especially university students to pass by the 37 Military Hospital, Korle-bu and the Police Hospital to donate blood to help save them.

We are also charging the government to be proactive in the management of our cities and communities.We should not wait for such things to happen before we channel our attention there which mostly happens to be a nine day wonder as we forget about it immediately afterwards.Continuous efforts and investments should be made to properly cater for and manage the sanitation of our cities and communities to prevent similar experiences in the future.

The media, USAG believes deserves commendation.They presented the issues as they are devoid of partisanship not forgetting the sensitization they have engaged in since then.We commend them as true sons of the lands.

Signed

NANA OTU DARKO

PRESS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SECRETARY

0272070409

OSEI POKU DERRICK

PRESIDENT

0549660806

UG - SRC MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCES

It's indeed been a terrible and sad moment in our lives as Ghanaians and our hearts are grieved. The disaster that bestowed the nation in the form of the flood coupled with the fire has taken great minds and lives of men, women and children.

As a Council, our heartfelt condolences goes to all students' who have lost a mother and/ or father, a brother and/ or sister, a friend or a colleague.

It is our sincere prayer that the Lord would grant us eternal comfort even as we mourn the  departed souls and grant our loved ones who have lost their lives, peace and a place in His bosom till eternity.  We also wish all affected victims speedy recovery and supernatural healing. 

Finally, the university of Ghana SRC would like to admonish all students to be each others keeper even in these times and rush to a safe place or get home when signs of the rain is evident or suspected even as we all rise and participate fully in the National Sanitation Day exercise and urge city authorities  to put measures in place to prevent future occurrence of this historic disaster  

Stay safe!

(Signed)

Davis Ohene Fobi
SRC President
0240277724

Michael Dugbater
SRC Vice President
0542115711

Felicia Elizabeth Agyei
SRC Secretary
0240144596.

Perry Johnson
SRC Treasurer
0246030195

©Issued by the Publication and Information of the SRC.

NUGS COMMISERATES WITH THE ENTIRE NATION

4th June, 2015

PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL UNION OF GHANA STUDENTS (NUGS) ON THE ACCRA FLOODS AND EXPLOSION

NUGS COMMISERATES WITH THE ENTIRE NATION

Ghana, just like many other nations, has experienced several devastating disasters of various degrees but certainly that of Thursday, June 4, 2015 remains unprecedented; making the day one of the darkest in the nation's history. Media reports suggest that the combined effect of the Goil filling station explosion and the torrential floods that gutted the capital city and its environs has culminated in over two hundred deaths with several thousands of people rendered homeless. No wonder every citizen is distraught as we speak. Students, teachers, parents, businessmen and women, drivers, traders and in fact no one has been spared in the carnage. Ghana is indeed in a state of mourning like never before.

In the light of this catastrophic development, NUGS wishes to join the rest of the world to express its condolence to all the affected especially those  who have lost their loved ones and properties as a result of this incalculable national tragedy. There cannot be an exaggeration of the debilitating effects of the twin fire and flood disaster which has left some two hundred Ghanaians dead with several houses and properties destroyed and washed away.

While commiserating with the bereaved families and friends, we wish to observe that this 'avoidable disaster' is only but a culmination of systemic failure in our country coupled with the shirking of responsibilities on the part of the relevant authorities and our governments in succession. We live in a State where laws are seen as enactments rather than enforcements. A nation that only laments over challenges and problems when they come but does very little to prevent possible future occurrence.

The Union therefore wishes to use this opportunity to challenge authorities to wake up from their age-long slumber in order to tackle such issues once and for all. We must all be proactive and stop at nothing in enforcing our laws to the latter. The acidic culture of impunity must stop now. Like the president said, never again should the nation experience  such havoc. We also wish to associate with government's declaration of three-days of national morning in memory of all the departed.

We also implore all Ghanaians especially the youth and students to respond positively to the call by the Minister of Health to go to various hospitals and donate blood in order to help save lives.

In the meantime, we wish to remind our fellow citizens that the Ghana Meteorological Department has again served notice of the possibility of more torrential rains in the coming days and weeks. We all must therefore take all the necessary precautionary measures to avoid falling victims while we also charge on the relevant authorities and laws enforcers to effectively discharge their mandates in this regard without fear or favour.

Once again, may the souls of all the departed find solace in the bosom of our Maker.

Thank you.

Signed.

Rhodalyn Eshun
Press and Information Secretary
(0246701359)

Prosper Dzitse
NUGS President
(054 658 0044)

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GHANAIANS MUST CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDE TO SAVE MASS DESTRUCTION- SAYS CHARWAY.

Looking at the mass destruction that has bedeviled our country most especially our capital cities, Charway John Nii ( a student activist of the university of Ghana and the president of Global Volunteers Group) admonished Ghanaians to change their attitude to help curb future mass damages.

The hundreds of people who have died out of the heavy downpour of rain in our country has placed the entire country in sorrows. A lot of statesmen and stakeholders have shared great concerns and Charway John Nii have added his voice to the national and international voices aimed at sharing in the sorrows of the bereaved and also looking at the way forward. Seeing the images of the dead bodies in a country like Ghana whose independence started 1957 due to downpour of rain and not a catastrophic occurrence like a quake or tsunami, one will then ask: " what went wrong?" Is it the fault of our leaders for such a disaster? Or it is the fault of the citizens.

Indeed no one will dispute the fact that the government has a role to place in ensuring that such damages and future ones are curbed. The government has the responsibility of providing the drainage such as gutters and all that is needed to help save our community.

Indeed the government has paid his dues in this provision such the national sanitation programme and others but it must never be forgotten that much of the responsibilities lies in the hands of the citizenry. It is also no issue that the drainage available is not enough but should they have been kept and maintained, the rate of destruction would have been minimal or negligible.

Frequent dumping of refuse into gutters, rivers and all drainage basins facilities is the cause of our problems as country. More often than not, people engage themselves in all forms of activities of which little is their knowledge on who bears the consequences. "No one is happy and will ever be happy for the loss of lives but this is a wake up call for all Ghanaians to show concern about all that affects them to ensure that all our problems are rectified to it highest limit. We as good citizens must fully get ourselves involved in all national programmes including that of the national sanitation and all sanitation programmes organised by NGOs, political parties, pressure groups, etc and it is only through these engagements that we will get the needed results.

God bless the youth of Ghana,

God bless our homeland Ghana and make it great and strong.

CHARWAY JOHN NII

GLOBAL VOLUNTEERS GROUP (PRESIDENT)

0542348709.