STEVE KUBATE IS GUPS PRESIDENT ELECT  

 Steve Kubate Salifu, a level 300 Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies Student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) has been elected as President of the Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS) for  the 2013/14 Academic Year. Steve obtained 105 out of the 153 total vote cast to beat his contender Solomon Seidu Gbelizean from JAYEE University College who had 48 votes. This happened in the just ended 11^th Delegates' Congress of the Union which was held at the University of Energy and Natural Resource in Sunyani.

In his victory speech, Steve called on candidates, both winners and unsuccessful to rally behind him to advocate and advance the developmental agenda of professional students in the Country. Steve among other things mentioned he would advocate for the amendment of the GETFUND Act to include private Universities as well as the upgrading of some Universities like National Film and Television Institute and School of Social Work. 

Prior to his election, Steve has been the President of GIJ’s Sutherland Hall, President of Institute of Public Relations-GIJ Chapter and a onetime Deputy Speaker of GIJ’s Students’ Parliament.

In the other portfolios, Eunice Mintah Young, a level 400 student of GIJ lost narrowly to her contender, Gertrude Adzo Borko of University of Professional Studies by 2 votes: Eunice had 77 votes whilst Gertrude had 79 votes.

Senyo Gladstone, Kwame Bonah, Fred Ansong, Nana Yaw Edusei and Gabson Gakpo were elected Press and Information Secretary, International Relations Officer, Treasurer, Financial Controller and Projects and Programmes Cordinator Respectively. These students stood unopposed.

The Women’s Commissioner Portfolio was keenly contested by Rachael Tutu of University of Professional Studies and Rachael Oforiwaa Arhin of Ghana Institute of Journalism. Rachael Arhin won with 95 votes whilst her opponent had 54 votes.

The Delegates Congress, which started on Wednesday 17^th July, brought together Eleven Professional Tertiary Institutions from across the country. Some of which were Zenith College, University of Professional Studies, Institute of Business

Steve Kubate Salifu, a level 300 Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies Student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) has been elected as President of the Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS) for  the 2013/14 Academic Year. Steve obtained 105 out of the 153 total vote cast to beat his contender Solomon Seidu Gbelizean from JAYEE University College who had 48 votes. This happened in the just ended 11^th Delegates' Congress of the Union which was held at the University of Energy and Natural Resource in Sunyani.

In his victory speech, Steve called on candidates, both winners and unsuccessful to rally behind him to advocate and advance the developmental agenda of professional students in the Country. Steve among other things mentioned he would advocate for the amendment of the GETFUND Act to include private Universities as well as the upgrading of some Universities like National Film and Television Institute and School of Social Work. 

Prior to his election, Steve has been the President of GIJ’s Sutherland Hall, President of Institute of Public Relations-GIJ Chapter and a onetime Deputy Speaker of GIJ’s Students’ Parliament.

In the other portfolios, Eunice Mintah Young, a level 400 student of GIJ lost narrowly to her contender, Gertrude Adzo Borko of University of Professional Studies by 2 votes: Eunice had 77 votes whilst Gertrude had 79 votes.

Senyo Gladstone, Kwame Bonah, Fred Ansong, Nana Yaw Edusei and Gabson Gakpo were elected Press and Information Secretary, International Relations Officer, Treasurer, Financial Controller and Projects and Programmes Cordinator Respectively. These students stood unopposed.

The Women’s Commissioner Portfolio was keenly contested by Rachael Tutu of University of Professional Studies and Rachael Oforiwaa Arhin of Ghana Institute of Journalism. Rachael Arhin won with 95 votes whilst her opponent had 54 votes.

The Delegates Congress, which started on Wednesday 17^th July, brought together Eleven Professional Tertiary Institutions from across the country. Some of which were Zenith College, University of Professional Studies, Institute of Business Management and Journalism, and University College of Management Studies (Accra & Kumasi).  The Elections were generally described as peaceful.

     

Mean while, Candidate for Coordinating Secretary position, Emmanuel Blankson, was disqualified for his lack of knowledge of the GUPS Constitution and functions of a Coordinating Secretary.

Stay tuned as your authoritative tertiary Blog site will come your way with a detailed profile of the newly Elected Executives and the various policies they hope to implement to promote the welfare of students in Ghana.

THE ROLE OF GHANAIAN YOUTH IN NATION BUILDING (part 1)

 The appropriate role of the youth in our Ghanaian society to nation building has been a subject of controversy for some time now, as there is no clearly defined role given to them in matters pertaining to nation building.

 In my opinion, two schools of thought have emerged in the light of these debates. Those who doubt the readiness and capacity of the youth to nation building and therefore take centre stage in advocating for a nation controlled by the elderly. The other group is those who believe that the youth has a significant stake in nation building, considering the number of youths in the world and therefore advocate for a greater participation in nation building.

Indeed, the importance or role of the youth to nation building was given an impetus, boost or credence when President John Dramani Mahama aptly put-forward  a  challenge to the youth of Ghana to be an active part in nation building .He stated unequivocally “take ownership of this country, and join in the authorship of its story”. He further called on the youth to leave a mark on the blank pages of Ghana’s history in his New Year message or address to Ghanaians on 31^st December, 2012. Equally instructive is the comments made by former secretary General Kofi Annan that “young people are key agents of development and must be at the forefront of global change and innovation” in an interview with Joy FM on February 2, 2013.

With Ghana’s present population estimated at a little over 24million per the 2010 population census and those between 15-35 constituting more than 50 percent of the total population, it is understandable why there is an upsurge in the advocacy for greater participation of the youth in nation building.

For the purposes of this article, it is important to count all those between ages 15-35 as my definition of youth which comprises students, employees, workers, farmers and persons from various professions including the unemployed-educated or otherwise. This classification stems from the fact that the definitions of the specific age range that constitute youth vary. This is evidenced by the fact that an individual’s actual maturity may not correspond to their chronological age, as immature individuals can exist at all ages.

Undoubtedly, these people constitute a large force, they are energetic, smart, enthusiastic and full of zeal and willing to deliver quality work on time but, unfortunately majority of these young folks are without direction, obviously because our nation has not made the needed efforts to align them appropriately. Indeed, there is no denying the fact that allowing them to remain idle without any way of contributing to nation building has a detrimental effect on the progress of our nation and the eventual increase in their frustration thereby leading to youthful waywardness.

Arguably, a large number of them are capable, devoted, dedicated and are fond of work. Their inability to contribute to engender nation building is as a result of their being without any worthwhile job and the reality of not given avenue to realize the depth of their potential. It is definitely not good news to our nation if these energetic hands and brains are not provided with some sort of work to meet the demands of our nation. No nation I dare say, in the 21^st century will permit such wastage and Ghana must wake up from its slumber.

Fellow countrymen, this is not to say that the establishment of the national youth employment programme by the government of Ghana is not laudable or good. It is a good start but efforts must be put in place to weed out political patronage to ensure its sustenance and above all the realization of its goal. It is not a hidden fact that past and present governments try as much as possible to fill their party surrogates into the programme as a form of reward for the support they gave them in their electoral victories. Nobody has a problem with that, because as far as am concerned they are also Ghanaians and thus are entitled to some sort of work. What I am however against is the reality of them not working but receiving their due at the end of the month. A case in point is of those who have been assigned to schools without them even stepping a foot there but at the end receive their salaries simply because they are aligned to a party and so on.

Equally appalling is the fact that some persons at the helm of affairs will employ people to the programme who are non-existent, otherwise referred to as “ghost workers’’ and at the end of the month receive the salaries on behalf of ‘these people’ and the fact that even those who turn out for work are not paid on time and most often receive paltry sums. Am sorry I have to go on this tangent in establishing my point, but the crux of the matter is that more efforts need to be put in place to sanitize the programme to make it more relevant.

Back to my earlier point; Indeed, I recollect vividly the remarks made by my childhood friend, Chrispin Ajedipe, a final year Petroleum Engineering student of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, when he shared his thoughts on the role of the youth in nation building. Interestingly, he indicated that “the problem is not with the youth but with our nation, what Ghana needs to do is to take the youth into confidence, give them a direction, for their energy is overwhelming”, interesting remarks folks!

Equally significant is the remarks made by Oral Jesse Ansah“the youth should be more interested in education since education is the fulcrum or pivot around which the whole nation revolves.”  Arguably what he sought to imply was that when the youth have access to education they can contribute significantly to nation building.

Their remarks undoubtedly remind me of the statement made by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) that “Give me a museum and I'll fill it." Indeed, I couldn’t agree less with my good friends because, I am one of the few youth advocates who have never doubted the capacity of the youth. This massive and overwhelming manpower of the youth can do wonders provided their enthusiasm is harnessed towards projecting the developmental agenda of our nation, otherwise touted as BETTER GHANA AGENDA by our current government.

Let me equally put on record that; Ghanaian youth have never lag behind when called to duty or meet a challenge. It is therefore, for our national leaders to play their part by mobilizing our energies and abilities and give us a clearly defined direction where we can contribute to nation building.

Interestingly, am not oblivious of what advocates and pundits of the first school of thought (which I will call anti-youth) will say or are saying, that the youth’s inability to contribute to nation building is as a result of youthful waywardness or negative youthful exuberance and the youth apathetic attitude towards nation building. I want to state here and now, that let there be no doubt about our strength, power and capability to significantly contribute in changing the fortunes of our nation and determining its destiny. Our counterparts elsewhere have changed governments in their countries, contributed significantly to policy formulation and direction and contributed in various ways in making the world a better place to live. The creation of facebook and twitter are cases in point.

There is no denying the fact that it was the youth of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya who started and overthrew their governments in the Arab spring. The overthrow of President Sokarno of Indonesia is also a case in point. The recent history of Czechoslovakia, Cambodia, Pakistan and France among others lends credence to the invaluable force of the youth movements in the 21^st century.

Who can deny the contributions of the youth in the independence struggle and subsequent liberation of our country Ghana?  The inspiring role played by the Gold Coast and West African students union to the independence of our nation and most African states is undeniably recognizably remarkable. After independence, the youth through National Union of Ghana students (NUGS), West African Students Union (WASU) and All African Students Union (AASU) respectively, continue to shape policy formulation and vital interventions in the development of democracy in our country and in many other countries in Africa.

It is vivid that when the youths are excluded, the rest of the population of our country will comprise of old people and children and they cannot be seen or called the real manpower of the nation. I dare say that if the youth of  Ghana is not enthuse to devote their energies to the task of nation building ,then the whole manpower of the nation is being wasted.

While stating the above, I humbly submit and recognize that the task of nation building is enormous, as it has many phases which therefore imply that there is work for every youthful hand.  All it takes is to assign tasks or jobs to the youth according to their capacity.

It saddens my heart that youth groups which are student-led and are supposed to be speaking in shaping national policy are dent silent. Why? They are simply afraid to be tagged as against or for the government. This is the sorry state of our current student movements such as National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS), Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG), University Students Association of Ghana (USAG), Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG), Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students (GNUPS) and Private University Students Association (PUSA) among others. This delineation of boundary because of the fear of being tagged is obviously a recipe for disaster and a dent on the independence of these hitherto independent and forceful youth movements.

Sorry I have to bore you with this piece of information. I thought it was crucial for me to update you on the current unfortunate state of our student movements.

Back to the task of nation building, for the youth to adequately contribute to nation building the following should be instituted.

First of all, one critical area their energies can be channeled is AGRICULTURE. The government can create schemes or programmes connected at raising the level of production in agriculture. The youth maybe assigned the job of dissemination of knowledge for better new farming techniques and proper use of fertilizers and pesticides. What is important is for them to be given adequate training in these tasks.

Another field where their energy can be gainfully employed is the task of ADULT EDUCATION. It is my conviction that when they are given a little dose of incentive or encouragement and support they may take over the great responsibility of fulfilling the tasks fixed by the government. Their services may similarly be utilized by government for preventing and fighting crime like internet fraud, hoarding, smuggling, human trafficking and black marketing among others.

They can create public opinion against those who engage in such criminal practices, thereby contributing in making the world a better place.

Undoubtedly, the role of the youth to nation building is enormous and I don’t intent to bore you with a lot of examples on this maiden edition on the above caption. However, it is my hope that pragmatic efforts will be put in place by the powers that be, to engender the youth’s participation in nation building.

We must therefore all get involved to re-ignite the debate on the appropriate role of the youth in nation building. I rest my case for now and to delve deeper into the matter subsequently.

God bless our homeland Ghana!

Steve Kubate Salifu

The writer is the External affairs Secretary of GIJ SRC.

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Telephone: 0247648864.

MY NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO STUDENTS OF GHANA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM.31ST DECEMBER, 2012.

 The Duchess of Windsor, when asked what the secret of a long and happy life is said “Fill what’s empty, empty what’s full and scratch where it itches “.

Comrades and students, of Ghana’s premier communication University, Ghana institute of journalism, Accra. As the year 2012 draws to a close midnight today with the advent of 2013. I wish you a very peaceful, victorious, productive and successful new year. May 2013 be a year of excellence. May your grade points be higher than previous ones.

Undoubtedly, 2012 came with an avalanche of challenges for the SRC and Sutherland Hall, but we thank God for giving us the strength, courage and tenacity to endure and overcome. In thanking him, for his mercies and blessings throughout 2012 and drawing us closer to 2013, let us remain focused, committed, dedicated and hopeful of the ultimate triumph of the student movement over our adversaries.

In the face of challenges, I make a solemn pledge as president of the hall of choice, Sutherland, to all my fellow compatriots to remain resolute and committed to the advancement or cause of student activism, to ADVOCATE vehemently for our collective interest, without fear or favor, and never to negotiate such interest in FEAR. All I ask of you my fellow compatriots of the premier communication institute is for you to exercise the right and power to dream of a better GIJ and demand it by whatever means possible.

I wish to extend a hand of friendship and warm felicitations to the mother student body on campus, the SRC under the able leadership of my fellow comrade, brother and friend Raymond Yeldidong Bayor, aptly supported by wisdom Agboza (SRC VICE PRESIDENT AND A SUTHERLAND) Godfred Gogo (SRC GEN. SEC), Enock kofi ubuntu (LOCAL NUGS AND GUPS PREZ) and all SRC executive. Not forgetting of my fellow hall and club presidents, comrade Humphrey Hammond (GJA GIJ Prez), Comrade Emmanuel Ajarfor (Osagyefo Hall prez), and comrade Innocent Maunya Azornu (IPR-GIJ Prez and press and information secretary of GUPS).

I equally, want to use this opportunity to wish my fellow comrades who will be putting themselves up for service in the various leadership portfolios of the SRC next semester WELL IN THEIR ENDEAVOUR. The likes of Ralph Dinko, Samuel Creppy,Eunice Mintah Young, Noel Nutsugah,Zarina Amandi, Sandra Dufie Manu, Gabriel Obodai Torgbor Ashong,Charles Ofori,Julius Ofori Boadu and Mohammed Faiza among others. Let me however remind them of what Chessmaster Sevielly Grigrievitch Tartakover (1887-1956) once said “Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake”.

I cannot end this new year message without saluting former SRC President Francis Gbadago (My mentor), Daniel Lartey(Fmr Sutherland hall prez),the indefatigable members of Sutherland Hall and to all who believe in me and are supporting me in our quest to bring CHANGE to GIJ.

I wish to announce that just as an old year is dead, a new philosophy for the student movement is born; “The philosophy of undiluted activism” .we must reignite the flame of student activism that was handed down from generations of student leaders and now onto us. The flame of student activism must not and shall not die.

Thank you and God bless you for your support throughout 2012.

I BELIEVE IN MY GENERATION!!!

(STEVE KUBATE SALIFU-SUTHERLAND HALL PREZ)

VISUAL COMMUNICATION ASSIGNMENT 2012

G.A MUST MOVE BEYOND ITS COMFORT ZONE!

Article 5 clause (1) of GIJ-SRC constitution states that ‘the SRC shall be composed of;

·       The  Executive committee

·       The General assembly

·       The judicial committee

·        Hall executives

·        Club and society executives and

·        The general student body.

Article 12 clause (2) also states that ‘subject to the provisions of this constitution, the legislative powers of the SRC shall vest in the General Assembly and shall be exercised in accordance with this constitution.

Equally important, is article 13 which stipulates the functions of General Assembly which includes but not limited to;

·       Approve all proposals of dues and levies on the student body by the executive committee and hall executives. Any such dues approved shall be communicated to the student body by a legislative instrument and copies shall be made available to the perusal and knowledge of the Rector, Registrar and Dean of students of GIJ

·       Shall debate and subsequently approve executive committee programs before their implementation

·       Shall debate and approve periodic financial statements of the executive committee and shall hold the executive committee in contempt if financial transactions are made without the prior approval of General Assembly.

Undoubtedly, these articles clearly positions G.A as the second highest decision making body or arm of GIJ SRC.

It therefore saddens my heart to say that this strategic position of G.A in the governance structure of GIJ SRC has been relegated to the background wholly because of G.A inability to assert itself in matters it ought to.

The great Greek philosopher Socrates once proclaimed that ‘the unexamined life is not worth living ‘and since life is worth living it is important that we subject the role played by G.A currently and in the past to scrutiny for us to ascertain the relevance or otherwise of G.A and make propositions towards properly positioning G.A  in its rightful place.

As rightly indicated by George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) ,“if you can’t get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you’d best teach it to dance. I am therefore compelled to discuss on this platform albeit reluctantly some of the teeming problems confronting GIJ students so that we can jaw jaw on them with the hope of finding lasting solutions to them. Indeed there is no doubt that GIJ students are confronted with myriad of problems-ranging from poor state of the female lavatory, antagonistic relationship between students and the library staff, weak internet connectivity, the unwarranted infringement on the rights and sovereignty of students, outdated library books, lecturer absenteeism and lack of projectors for effective teaching and learning just to mention but a few.

          Comrades, obviously the problems confronting GIJ students are enormous which therefore calls for a proactive, assertive and versatile General Assembly to complement the efforts of the executive committee to drum home our demands.

For the purpose of this article, and non-members of General Assembly, Article 12 of GIJ SRC Constitution states that ‘there shall be a General Assembly of the SRC, and which shall comprise-

·       The speaker

·       The deputy speaker

·       The clerk of General Assembly

·       One representative from each class

·       One other elected member from each class

·       Hall Presidents

·       Club and society Presidents

   This composition clearly shows that G.A is representative and the wisdom behind this, is to ensure that the views and concerns of every constituency within GIJ are taken into consideration in the formulation of student-centered programs.

 Unfortunately my fellow compatriots, G.A for the past years has been noted for merely meeting for the purposes of approving the executive committee program of activities, debate and approve the budget as well as consider reports from the committees of G.A, Hall Presidents, external, electoral and women’s commissions to the detriment of other equally important problems bedeviling the student front of GIJ.

Comrades, I know you will agree with me that there is no better FORUM other than G.A for the ventilation of our grievances. G.A I dare say must be rebranded to play its rightful role.

As a former SRC General Secretary of Ghana Senior High School, Tamale, I recall that at every ordinary sitting of the SRC, a special session is dedicated to the collation of grievances from representatives after they have spoken to their various classes. At the end of which the most pressing concerns are put together in the form of a communiqué and presented to the head teacher. Subsequently, the head teacher will call for a meeting where these issues are deliberated and solutions are found. As bureaucratic as the process was-it was an avenue for the resolution of pertinent problems of students of my Alma Mata, despite the fact that the G.A of the SRC had matters of budgeting to deal with.  

My fellow compatriots, it is my beliefs that if G.A is properly constituted it can relief the SRC Executive of some burden. Indeed I recall only a few weeks ago that the SRC executive under the able leadership of Raymond Bayor  went round each lecture room to take inventory of the fans that were not working (which is unprecedented)while there are G.A reps who could have reported these issues directly to them for action.

Fortunately, G.A now has under its watch a versatile and results-oriented speaker, Samuel Creppy, who can champion this cause and turn the fortunes of G.A around.

Beyond this article comrades, I intend to pursue the matter, by filing a MOTION at the next sitting of G.A for a creation of a special session for this purpose and I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to the would-be constitutional review committee (CRC) to make this at the top of their agenda.

My personal philosophy as a student leader is that when I am working on a problem, I never think about the beauty. I only think about how to solve the problem. But when I finish, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong. I therefore want to call on all honorable members of the house and students to join me to fill what’s empty, empty What’s Full, and scratch where it itches. I rest my case.

PUSHING THE STUDENTS AGENDA ….I dey for you.

STEVE KUBATE SALIFU

President, Sutherland Hall.

OVERVIEW OF GUPS UNITY CONGRESS 2012

The 10^th annual delegate congress of the Ghana union of Professional students (GUPS) ,was officially opened on the 26^th of July,2012 at the auditorium of the university college of management studies (UCOMS),Kumasi on the theme “promoting peace in election 2012:the role of the professional student.”

The congress dubbed “GUPS Unity Congress 2012” brought together the leadership of the two GUPS factions: Charles Amponsah and Louisa Ata Agyemang to unify the GUPS front for the 2012/2013 GUPS year and beyond. Also in attendance, were student leaders and delegates from 13 professional tertiary institutions across the nation including, Ghana institute of Journalism.  

The congress was organized to elect national officers, to take charge of the union’s affairs for the 2012/2013 GUPS year as well as deliberate on issues bothering on professional student’s welfare.

The dignitaries at the launching included the vice rector of UCOMS, Mr. P.K Achinah,Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi, former deputy Ashanti regional minister and Mr. Gabriel Antwi, representative of the Ashanti regional director of education among others.

Speaking on the theme of the congress, Mr.Osei Assibey entreated professional students to eschew tendencies that will put Ghana’s peace at risk. While emphasizing that we must draw lessons from recent happenings in cote d’ ivoire. Professional students, he further indicated, have a moral responsibility to hold politicians accountable by subjecting their policies, programs and utterances to serious scrutiny.

Meanwhile, he bemoaned student leaders to reject politicians who want to hold the nation and its laws to ransom. He was also happy about the peaceful manner in which the transition of power was conducted after the demise of our late president J. E. A Mills.

The chairperson at the ceremony, Mr. P.K Achinah was happy that student leaders are making a conscious effort at unifying their front. He equally used the opportunity to advice students to make informed choices in the upcoming polls, since that will determine the direction of our country in the next four years.

Hon. Charles Amponsah, president of GUPS when given the opportunity, thanked all delegates for making it to congress. He recounted events leading to the unity congress, but was optimistic that never again will this unfortunate tragedy befall our great union. He further indicated that “fostering unity” should remain a slogan that will not depart from us. He concluded by advising professional students never to dabble in national politics in ways that dawns negatively on the image of our union.

Hon. Louisa Ata Agyemang, president of the second GUPS faction, on her part was confident that the union can relive its former glory and that if the union must remain united, focused and committed to its core values, then it will take the collective effort of all GUPS members.

A minute silence was observed in honor of our late President, Professor J .E.A Mills. There were also solidarity messages from NUGS, NAHSAG, PUSAG, USAG and Regional SRC.

Undoubtedly, the congress was peaceful, well organized and co-ordinated despite a few hiccups here and there. Indeed the congress was scheduled from the 25^th-29^th of July 2012 and after the launching, the rest of the programs followed suit until our departure.

In all, GIJ presented 11 delegates, including the SRC President, Mr. Raymond Bayor and the Local NUGS and GUPS president, Mr. Enock Gyan (Ubuntu).

It is also significant to note that, the vacant positions at the GUPS secretariat were fiercely contested for even though majority of the portfolios saw the candidates going unopposed. In all, six portfolios including the press and information secretary, co-coordinating secretary, international relations secretary, projects and programs secretary, financial controller and women commissioners’ portfolio went unopposed.

Interestingly, GIJ presented two candidates, one for General Secretary and the other for Press and information Secretary.

Mr. Innocent Maunya Azornu, a L400 BA in Communications studies (Public Relations) student and President of IPR GIJ chapter, won the Press and information Secretary Slot after going unopposed.

Miss Eunice Mintah Young, a L300 BA in Communications studies (Public Relations) student and executive secretary of GIJ electoral commission unfortunately, lost narrowly to Miss Lawrencia Bossman of Jayee University College by a margin of two. i.e. 41 against 39 after 15 of her votes were declared invalid due to improper voting.

As a member of her campaign team, I still found it difficult to fathom why God allowed this to happen. Especially so, when her campaign team, headed by GIJ GJA President Humphrey Hammond campaign vigorously coupled with her excellent display of eloquence and oratory prowess at the manifesto reading. Indeed, many delegates I spoke to after the elections, contend that her name would forever remain indelible in their minds.

Meanwhile, Michael Paa-Quecy Adu, a L400 student of the University Of Professional Studies (UPS) edged out his closest competitors, Isaac Obeng of Jayee University College and Stephen Offei-Baah of Zenith University College to win the presidency slot.

Beyond this report, I recommend:

·        That it is time we adopt electronic voting at the GUPS level.

·        Amend the GUPS constitution by making a provision for an entrenched clause that insists on daytime voting instead of night voting.

·        That, the electoral commission of Ghana be invited to take charge of the union’s elections to forestall some of the lapses we encountered at the congress.

Steve Kubate Salifu

GIJ Local NUGS and GUPS Secretary. 

      

NUGS UNITY CONGRESS 2012 IN RETROSPECT

 The 46^th annual residential delegate congress of the National union of Ghana students  (NUGS) was officially opened at the conference room of the great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, Kumasi on the theme “funding of tertiary education; a private or public responsibility.

The congress, which was scheduled to take place from, the 8^th-12^th of August 2012, was dubbed “NUGS unity congress 2012” and essentially brought together leaders of the two NUGS factions: Peter K .Kodjie and Osman Ayariga Abdulai to forge a common front. Also In attendance was delegates and student leaders from across the nation’s tertiary institutions including, Ghana institute of Journalism (GIJ). The purpose of the gathering was to elect national officers to steer the union’s affairs for the 2012/2013 academic year, as well as elect representatives to the student loan trust fund (SLTF), and the National youth authority (NYA) boards and deliberate on issues which are pertinent to students welfare.

As part of the program, members observed a minute silence in memory of our late President, Professor. J.E.A Mills .It was also expected that a communiqué would be issued at the end of the congress on the theme.

The special guest of honor at the opening ceremony on the 9^th of August, 2012.Hon. Mahama Ayariga, deputy education minister was represented by the Ashanti Regional Director of education, Mr. Joseph Kwabena Onyina who spoke briefly on the theme of the congress and the importance of tertiary education to the overall development of the individual. While bemoaning student leaders and for that matter, tertiary students to be innovative in order to generate ideas that will engender the growth and development of our nation .He was quick to add his voice to the current NUGS impasse by commending National officers for taking a bold step to unify the student front.

Peter K. Kodjie and Osman Ayariga, presidents of the two NUGS factions for the 2011/2012 academic year, when given the opportunity were singing virtually the same song, having acknowledged the fact that leading a broken union was embarrassing and challenging. Indeed, they indicated that their credibility was usually put to a litmus test anytime they appear to represent Ghanaian students on national events. They were also not happy about the current state of the union, including the fact that the union does not have a permanent secretariat and the reality that the student front is bedeviled with myriad of challenges. However, they were grateful to Ghanaian students for exhibiting tolerance to the two factions and to all who contributed to the unity process.

The chairperson at the opening ceremony, Mr.Rester Togormey, former GRASAG president was not happy of the current state of the union, but was optimistic that NUGS can relive its former glory and this he added can only happen if we refrain from pushing our personal agenda above that of the larger students out there.

There were also fraternal messages from the blocs of NUGS such as GUPS, USAG, GRASAG, PUSAG, TTAG, and Regional SRC. Despite the late start of the opening ceremony, coupled with the poor allocation of rooms for delegates, it was our hope that subsequent events will be smooth and peaceful, but it was never meant to be.

According to NUGS Katanga Accord Watchdogs.”The 46^th annual delegates congress of the National union of Ghana students (NUGS),held at KNUST ,Kumasi was from abi initio a flop as National officers demonstrated gross disrespect ,intransigence and ineptitude towards the very people from whom they derived their mandate. Beyond the unpredictable security situation (ignited after machete was found in a National officer’s car on the day of elections) and the unashamed abuse of the constitution, some National executives at the time were alleged to have been massaging the voters list to favor their preferred choice”.

It is also worthy to note that, the central committee (CC) meeting which was scheduled at 7pm on the 9^th of August, 2012 to rectify the electoral commission, the audit committee as well as consider the secretariat and vetting committee reports among others could not come off as planned. This eventually became a reality the following day, August 10, 2012 at 3pm.

This repeated delays of scheduled programs ,including voting coupled with the tense atmosphere created before voting by the factionalized NUGS leadership and their attempt to subvert the supreme mandate of Ghanaian students necessitated 38 SRC and Local NUGS Presidents to step in to salvage the situation.

Indeed, the congress eventually grinded to a halt at the late hours of Sunday, August 12, 2012  after 38 SRC and Local NUGS Presidents of member institutions, in a crunch meeting ,passed a resolution ,at the University Hall ,Katanga to suspend the National officers and retrieve all assets of the union in their possession as well as halt congress.

To this end, the NUGS Katanga accord empowered a 7-member interim management committee (IMC) to see to the election of National officers within the shortest possible time and demand accountability on the part of National officers for a more committed union to fight the plight of Ghanaian students devoid of greed, hatred, partisan interest and Mephistophelian machinations.

Beyond this report, I recommend:

·        That the IMC and for that matter the Ghana police service, must take remedial steps to investigate the allegations surrounding the role Mr. Samuel Mante, former NUGS Projects and Programs Secretary played in the hiring of “macho men “to intimidate delegates at the congress.

·        Then again, allegation that suspended General Secretary, Mr.Tafhim Gbonta was carrying brand new cutlasses in his car on elections day; must not be put to sleep, but investigated thoroughly so that if found culpable, he be made to face the full rigors of the law.

·        In the near future, standing security personnel should be put in place to forestall the tension generated by supporters of the two leading Presidential candidates, Mr. Jude D. Sekley and Mr. Andrews Kofi Gyan (Agya) especially the gross indiscipline exhibited by the jama group, Royal Bobo Kingdom of University of Professional Studies. (UPS)

·        In addition, the practice of delegates eating their lunch at 6pm and supper at 11-12pm must never be allowed to repeat itself.

·        Lastly, the Electoral Commission of Ghana must be invited to take charge of the union’s elections, as a remedy to National officer’s attempt at massaging the voters list to favor their preferred candidates.

Steve Kubate Salifu

GIJ Local NUGS and GUPS Secretary.