Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh being honored by the NUGS Executive for his commitment to education in Ghana
The Vice-Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh who is popularly known as “Napo” has commended the current executive of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) for showing activism in the pursuit of better conditions for Ghanaian students studying in the country and those pursuing careers outside the shores of Ghana.
Delivering the keynote address at the 57th NUGS Delegates Congress at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr Napo said such activism shown by the current executive was exemplary.
Dr Napo also paid tribute to previous executives who led NUGS, adding that their actions led to many breakthroughs for Ghanaian students to have better learning and living conditions.
“The number one duty of NUGS is to ensure that they prioritise the needs of Ghanaian students by holding governments accountable so that it works to better their lot and improve quality of life through education”, Dr Napo stated.
National Issues:
Dr Opoku Prempeh called on NUGS not to shy away from making their voices heard on national issues, adding that the body should take interest in the politics of the Nation.
He noted that currently the issues of illegal mining and the need to sustain the free SHS policy had come up for discussion.
These issues, he noted should have aroused the conscience of the National Students Body with their positions loudly expressed on same.
“NUGS must take center stage in voicing their views on national issues such as illegal mining by stating a position on same as well as doing so on the free SHS policy so that the Ghanaian politician would know the mindset of Ghanaian students”.
NUGS President:
Addressing the gathering that included representatives of the Asantehene and many important stakeholders in the Education Industry, Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, President of NUGS noted that the activism of the student body had yielded results.
He stated advocacy efforts from the current executive had ensured the release of stipends to Ghanaian students studying in Ghana and abroad.
The President also noted that the executive had held government accountable for the timely release of GETFUND for schools in the country.
“We believe in the use of advocacy and positive engagement but not the recourse of only demonstrations to seek for what belongs to the Ghanaian student and i am happy to report that this has yielded results in getting help to many overseas students including those in Morocco and the United Kingdom “, the President noted.
Achievements:
Mr Kyeremeh said NUGS under its current executive had been able to construct two 6 unit class room blocks in the Oti region and another, adding that it has also been able to launch its NUGS stipend fund to support the education of persons with disability and the poor in universities.
Currently, NUGS he revealed has put into use a 100 acre land given to it by Apostle Kwadwo Sarfo by growing maize, cassava as well as many legumes, cereals and vegetables on same.
He said NUGS had also started catfish farming and currently has over 1, 000 pieces in its ponds.
“We are currently sealing off contractual interactions with interested parties so that we can secure funding for these interventions and also get ready market for the produce at our farms when they are ready for harvesting and marketing”, the President stated.
PMMC CEO:
Nana Akwasi Awuah, Chief Executive Officer of the Precious Minerals and Mining Company (PMMC) said the theme of the event, “De-politicisation of Education; the Role of Stakeholders”, was apt.
He therefore urged all stakeholders to contribute to making education a working tool since all best forms of transformation revolves around same.
Nana Awuah commended government and the Asante King for consciously investing in education, an action he noted is aimed at creating a brighter future for Ghanaian children and youth.
Asantehene Representative:
Speaking at the event, representative of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said the King was so concerned about the education of the Ghanaian student more than ever.
He noted that the establishment of the Otumfuo Education Fund, the Otumfuo Charity Foundation and the Otumfuo Reading Competition were all interventions to make education appealing to the citizens of the country.
NUGS honored Dr Napo, the Regional Education Director, DCE for Amansie South and many others at the event.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com / Michael Ofosu-Afriyie, Kumasi.
