GRASAG hits streets over bursaries, thesis grants

Members of the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) are embarking on a protest march in Accra over delayed bursaries and thesis grants.

Students studying for post-graduate degrees and PhDs constitute membership of GRASAG. The march began at the Obra Spot near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

It is scheduled to see the student protesters march through the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, Farisco Traffic Light in Adabraka, Kinbu SHS, Tema Station and the Atta Mills’ High Street.

It will end up at the Hearts of Oak Park. Dozens of students converged at the starting point for the protest against government. A petition is to be presented to the Ministry of Finance and the Chief of Staff, who is expected to forward it to the president.

Some of the placards read: ‘Mr Terkper, fulfil ur duties to GRASAG’, ‘Research, a Critical Tool For National Development’, and ‘Prez Mahama, Where is Our Money?’. Meanwhile, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has lent solidarity to GRASAG for Wednesday’s demonstration.

NUGS explained in a statement on Wednesday that it has been two years since government last paid bursaries.

“The Graduate students are slapped day in and day out with numerous economic challenges regarding their academic progress, in the area of research allowance and other important aspects of their academics, a situation which stampedes a harmonious environment for studies.”