NUGS reacts to allegations of misappropriation of funds

Accra, Aug. 2, GNA - The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has refuted allegation of misappropriating GH=A2 19,300 (193 million cedis) provided by the Ministry of Health for the Ghana@50 celebration. It said, "an amount of 50 million cedis (GH=A2 500) was released to the union instead of the purported 193 million cedis".

"These funds were meant for the Ghana@50 celebration. I can state with authority that it was judiciously used and all expenses have been duly accounted for", Mr. William Yamoah, President of NUGS told a press conference in Accra on Thursday.

Reacting to allegations of misappropriation of funds, Mr. Yamoah said the union had identified lack of proper communication as the cause of the current turmoil, adding that misuse of the code of conduct and proper institutional procedures in administering individual roles as national executives nearly destroyed the image of the union.

He explained that the issue of GH=A2 19,300 came about because that was the amount stated in the proposals it sent round but the Ministry of Health gave the union GH=A2 5,000 (50 million cedis).

Mr. Yamoah noted that the MOH gave out the amount because the Ghana@50 secretariat had asked institutions and organizations to assist in responding to some of proposals for the celebrations. An audited Account had been subsequently submitted to the ministry about a month ago, he said and noted that no qualms had been raised by the ministry.

He further explained that the GH=A2 19,300 was supposed to be used for a nationwide programme for students but since only GH=A2 5,000 was given only one programme dubbed "Taking stock of our lives. Ghana@50 our history our destiny" was held at Kumasi and attracted two student from all institutions affiliated to NUGS.

"NUGS regrets the counter productive media warfare between the various parties taking into consideration how uncivil and personal these encounters degenerated into. We also regret and apologise for our immediate resort to the media for solutions since there are structure within the union that could have dealt with these cracks internally and properly" he said.

NUGS also commended the alumni for the timely intervention in resolving the crisis and pledged not to allow it to happen again. Mr. Yamoah said the NUGS would come out with a code of conduct to guide elections and make it less expensive and entreated all aspirants to conduct their campaigns devoid of malice and personal vendetta to prevent any form of disunity.

He said the union, like any responsible group had taken the problem seriously and resolved it accordingly saying both factions had resolved to use the internal structures and diplomacy in solving problems. "We want Ghana to know that we have resolved to work in unity and harmony", he added.

"Congress would be successful, come August 22 and on a red carpet we would walk out," Kofi Ofosu Boateng, NUGS treasurer told the meeting.