Stop the killer fees – ICON to Mahama

The Government of Ghana should review fees charged by all teacher and nurse training institutions because most heads of such colleges are charging fees beyond affordable levels, a student group called Inter College Network (ICON) has urged.

According to the group, the current fees being charged students of the training institutions are simply unbearable, requiring action from the government.

A statement co-authored by Ekow Paintsil Djan and Emmanuel Martin Owiredu, President and Coordinator, respectively, of the group said: “On Wednesday 31 August 2016, the Minister of Health, Mr Alex Segbefia, announced the suspension of heads of some nurse training colleges for charging unapproved fees. Without any hesitation, we would like to congratulate the ministry for a selfless work done.”

“Addressing the media last Wednesday, Mr Segbefia stated: ‘This practice has escalated to the extent that some schools are adding extra items as additional levies for the academic year, e.g. cement, electronic system fees, stationery, among others. We are unhappy about this practice because the exorbitant nature of such fees is defeating the purpose of getting those genuinely interested in providing healthcare into the institutions as against those who can afford it. This will ultimately result in the production of professionals whose dedication to duty will be in question.’

“We would use this medium to petition the Government of Ghana once again to review fees charged by all training institutions because most heads of training institutions are charging fees which are [beyond affordable levels]. As an association which seeks the welfare of all trainees across the country, we would like to petition the Government of Ghana to extend this review exercise to other health training institutions and the colleges of education as well.

“We are looking forward to receiving a positive outcome, for trainees in Ghana have suffered for years under various unexamined and unfavourable policies hence charging of unaccountable fees.”