NUGS Leadership Branded As Weak By Vice Chancellor

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, has described the demonstration organised by the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) as �unfortunate and extremely sad�. Professor Aryeetey has also branded the leadership of NUGS and the Graduate Students Association of Ghana, (GRASAG) who support the demonstration as weak leaders who want to destroy the University for their parochial interests. University students hit the streets on Wednesday July 27, in a nationwide protest over what they call exorbitant school fees. The students have called on their authorities to reduce the 45% increment in their fees for the upcoming academic year, a demand that is yet to be granted. The students, especially those at the University of Ghana say their Vice Chancellor remains adamant and have failed to consider their concerns. However, speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday July 27, Professor Aryeetey expressed dismay at the posture of the leaders of NUGS and GRASAG. He explained that the students were part of a meeting where the percentage of the increment on the fees was determined and cannot fathom why the �students were using untruth to fight a cause that cannot be defended�. He added that he had written to the leadership of the various unions that he was prepared to meet them to find an amicable solution to the impasse. He also expressed disappointment that the students were failing to recognise the enormous changes currently on-going in the university. �I will like my students to learn that destroying the university cannot be an option and that is the part that the leadership of NUGS and GRASAG are taking, they simply want to destroy the University for their personal ends. �Maybe it allows them to appear as strong leaders but strong leaders don�t do this; that is what I would like them to know�. Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Education, Mahama Ayariga says dialogue is the best solution to the impasse between the students and the university authorities. Hon. Ayariga noted that it was unfortunate for the students to resort to street demonstrations to press home their demands. He however appealed to the students to exercise restraint and noted that government would work expeditiously to find an amicable solution to the problem.