We are disappointed at inability of SSNIT to disburse loans - Students

Accra, April 13, GNA - The Students' Representative Council of the University of Ghana on Thursday expressed disappointment at the inability of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SNIT) to disburse loans of the second semester to students.

It pointed out that "the undue and habitual delay" in the release of the loans, which is done most often at the end of the semester, defeats the main objective of helping students to finance academic work during the semester.

In a statement issued by the SRC President, Nii Narku Dowuona and Press Secretary Stephen Tettey Quao, the students said the loans should be paid at the beginning of the semester and not the end.

The statement said the SRC has lost count of the number of approaches made to all bodies concerned with the loans to ensure that the loans are released in time to help alleviate financial hardships faced by students.

"The SRC and the general student body of the University of Ghana wish to state that we can no longer take the monotonous excuse 'that the consortium of banks is yet to commit funds to supplement that from SSNIT.'"

The student leaders said it is now apparent that students are running out of patience and warned that "this sorry state of affairs is a potential cause of disturbance on our campuses."

"It is also clear that our continued use of dialogue behind the scenes, is unfortunately not yielding the needed response from the powers that be, Government and SSNIT."

The SRC said their choice of dialogue should not be misconstrued by government and SSNIT to mean lack of enthusiasm to fight for genuine students' causes.

"If anything at all, the leadership and students are very much poised for positive action more than ever.