UGSRC 66k spending: Petitioners call for ‘asset declaration policy’ to account for SRC funds

Petitioners in the ongoing case for the impeachment of the University of Ghana Students Representative Council (SRC) President are calling for enactment and implementation of an asset declaration policy following allegations against some SRC executives for squandering student funds.

According to the petitioners, the call for the SRC President, Isaac Agyemang’s impeachment goes beyond the supposed misappropriation of the GH¢ 66,138 of student funds.

Godsway Obro Boateng, one of the petitioners said that the SRC President has also caused about seven gross constitutional breaches and has gone against his own sworn oath of office, hence he must be sanctioned to deter other aspirants from such acts.

Meanwhile, student lawyer, Prosper Batariwah, speaking to UniversNews said that an asset declaration policy should not be prioritized since there are existing mechanisms to check accountability of student leaders and efforts should rather be channeled into strengthening those structures.

“I do not think we should start making additional proposals such as asset declaration now in terms of furthering accountability, probity and transparency of the management of student funds. I believe there are existing structures and it is better for us to focus on seeing how best to strengthen those existing structures to make sure that they work rather than bringing in new proposals which will more or less muddy the situation.” He said.

He cited the SRC Audit Board as one of the structures which should be strengthened to secure accountability.

“We know that there’s already an Audit board. If you’ve been following the happenings at the SRC there’s this idea of people being tied to certain people and sort of happen to question the independence of the Audit Board. But then there’s an Audit board so why don’t we rather look at ways of making sure we strengthen the audit board if there are notions of infringement when it comes to independence of the Audit Board.” He added.

Adding to that, the President of the Legon Chapter of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Victoria Antwi also stated that the implementation of an asset declaration policy for SRC aspirants will be a setback.

“The implementation would be the issue because even if you get the SRC president to declare his or her asset there is no way an Audit board would want to do otherwise. The implementation is the issue when it comes to government because you sit there and you will be surprised at how some people think. You’ll be appointed or approved by the house as an Audit Board member and then you will feel you would not want to do something that would serve the interest of the student body but rather an individual person so even if we are to apply that, it would be difficult ensuring proper implementation of it.” She said.