NUGS presents petition to stakeholders over 2022/2023 academic fees
Dennis Appiah Larbi-Ampofo
The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) presents a petition to some stakeholders in tertiary education.
The petition was submitted to the listed relevant stakeholders: the Parliament of Ghana, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the Ministry of Education (MoE), and the Ministry of Health (MoH).
After the submission of the petition, NUGS organised a press conference in Accra.
The petition submitted to the relevant stakeholders was about the union’s displeasure with how some public tertiary institutions in the country have increased school fees.
Mr. Dennis Appiah Larbi-Ampofo, President of NUGS in his address mentioned KNUST, University of Ghana, Legon, University of Cape Coast (UCC), University of Education, Winneba (UEW) including other tertiary institutions for acting contrary to the 15% threshold as approved by the Parliament of Ghana.
The tertiary institutions “disobeyed the 15% threshold approved by Parliament and increased their fees by 27%, 40%, 90%, and 100% as well.”
Also, Mr. Labi-Ampofo assured students of making it possible for the above-listed universities to reverse their fees to the 15% threshold approved by the Parliament of Ghana.
BACKGROUND OF TERTIARY INSTITUTION FEES
“On the 3rd of November, 2022, the leadership of the National Union of Ghana Students in a meeting with the President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo requested the assistance of the President in ensuring that fees do not rise this year.”
“The Union followed up with a memo through the Ministry of Education to the President on the 23rd of November, 2022, in which we made the same request.”
“On the 1st of December, 2022, we wrote officially to Parliament on the same subject. Throughout this period, we have also initiated several formal and informal meetings and discussions, all on the same subject, with the Parliament Select Committee on Education, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, and other stakeholders.”
“The leadership of NUGS did all these with the firm conviction that these times are challenging, not only for the government but for students who are the most vulnerable and affected during any economic crisis, hence any astronomical increase in fees will adversely affect the growth made in tertiary education in this country.”
NUGS statement and efforts on hikes in fees
On 23rd December 2022, Mr. Larbi-Ampofo said the way forward includes having a meeting with GTEC that will focus on the following:
- “Compliance to the 15% threshold approved by parliament, NUGS proposes that GTEC writes to all institutions AGAIN to emphasize compliance.”
- “NUGS and Blocs have set up a mechanism to monitor and report all defaulting institutions who are charging over the threshold to Parliament and GTEC.”
- “NUGS proposes that GTEC directs all institutions to accept 50% part payment and allow students to register!”
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
