Back off students politics – Minister tells politicians

The Minister of Communications, Dr. Omane Boamah has called on Ghanaian politicians to stay away from student politics in educational institutions across the country.

Dr. Boamah appealed to the authorities to strengthen their relationship with representatives of students. “I want all politicians in the country, including myself, to stay off student politics,” he said,

“All authorities in schools and universities must begin to deepen their relationship with students’ representatives.

Dr Boamah, a former NUGS President who later aligned with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said interference by politicians on the various campuses across the country had led to several conflicts and promoted partisanship.

“Politicians only enter student politics to promote partisanship and it breeds conflicts among them,” he noted. The Minister was speaking at the launch of a book titled: ‘When Men Fell Asleep,’ at the British Council Hall in Accra.

The book was written by a Ghanaian female writer Josephine Adwoa Ashia Torku, a former Students Representative Council (SRC) leader at the University of Ghana.

Interestingly, student politics has adversely been affected under the current NDC administration with government appointees, particularly a certain deputy minister, meddling in the affairs of students.

The Communications Minister was optimistic a congenial environment would be attained if the authorities strengthen their relationship with leaders of students.

The book, When Men Fell Asleep, essentially covers the author’s struggle during her days at the University of Ghana when she was contesting for the SRC leadership position.

Josephine Adwoa Ashia Torku, who pursued Political Science, noted that she fought against discrimination and stereotype by her male counterparts “who felt that women should not be entrusted with leadership position in our society.”

According to Ashia Torku, with courage and tenacity, she became the SRC leader of the University during the 2004/2005 academic year.

She urged Ghanaian women who compete with men for leadership positions to continue their fight. “Never say it’s over until it’s over,” she noted. “You need to continue the fight until you see the end, my fellow women.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa bought nine copies of the book for SRC leaders in public universities across the country at an undisclosed price. He commended the author for her initiative and encouraged her to continue to work hard.