NUGS advocates for a depoliticization agenda to safeguard educational integrity

The President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, has championed an agenda to officially disengage its operations from all forms of political influence henceforth.

Making this declaration on the occasion of the 57th Delegates Congress held at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on Saturday, September 21, 2024, he noted that the theme "Depoliticizing Education and Upholding Integrity: The Role of Students and Stakeholders for National Development" signals a paradigm shift geared towards ensuring improvement in the quality of education and welfare for all students.

According to him, this resolution has yielded positive outcomes within the past year, with increased student involvement at the table of decision-making and policy formulation.

Mr. Kyeremeh indicated that, as promised, his administration has maintained an intrepid posture by dispassionately addressing issues of national interest.

He referenced that for the recent voter registration exercise, the union succeeded in impressing upon the Electoral Commission of Ghana to establish centres in all tertiary institutions after their initial exclusion.

Additionally, he noted that owing to the union's intervention, the government has fully paid the outstanding stipends of all Ghanaian students in the diaspora and has also released 58 million Ghana Cedis into the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) for disbursement to students.

"As students and future leaders, we have a critical role to play in upholding the integrity of our educational institutions and ensuring that they remain spaces for growth, innovation, and excellence. NUGS has remained steadfast in its mission to advocate for quality education and improved conditions for students in Ghana," he said.

Shrugging off allegations of political infiltration in his administration, Mr. Kyeremeh said NUGS' exploits are purely the result of cutting-edge advocacy and an unwavering commitment towards the welfare of every Ghanaian student.

He disclosed that in line with its vision of improving educational standards, NUGS has completed a self-funded six-unit classroom block in the Kassena Nankana District of the Upper East Region, with another classroom project scheduled for commissioning in the next few weeks.

"NUGS stood up and held a press conference to address why the government should pay the SLTF. I control 12.5 million students, so we have enough influence to get the results we want," he added.

Meanwhile, the vice-presidential candidate for the governing New Patriotic Party, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has unreservedly contended NUGS' motive to depoliticize education.

Speaking at the august occasion, which was also used to raise awareness about the commemorative book launch of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Dr. Opoku Prempeh reiterated that for NUGS to be an advocate for quality education, it must first become a political organization.

According to him, the administration must rather focus on how Ghana can improve its technical and vocational education.

Additionally, he advised the leadership of NUGS to involve political leaders in their future congresses and offered the opportunity for them to elucidate their proposed educational policies.

According to him, there is nothing unusual with such an initiative because it would create the opportunity for students to probe those policies.

Besides, Dr. Opoku Prempeh has pledged financial support for NUGS ahead of its general elections slated for Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

He advised all candidates and supporters to engage in a decent campaign to achieve a free, transparent, and fair election outcome.

"If NUGS itself is not a political organization, it cannot be an advocate for quality education. You should be able to call all political parties to come and give a statement on how they would handle the educational policies of Ghana," he said.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Precious Minerals Marketing Company, Nana Akwasi Awuah, who has been of immense support to NUGS, said education is the cornerstone of societal progress; however, it is imperative that stakeholders examine the influence of politics on it.

According to him, it equips individuals with the knowledge, skills, and values that build economies, improve societies, and empower people to change the world.

"Education is undeniably the bedrock of national development," he said.

He has, therefore, advocated for the insulation of education from divisive partisan politics and agendas, which could potentially compromise its primary purpose.