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OSMAN AYARIGA, the younger brother of a deputy Minister of Education, Mahama Ayariga, has been elected the President of the National Youth of Ghana Students (NUGS). He was elected at the union�s 45th annual national delegates congress held at OLA Girls Senior High School in Ho, the Volta regional capital. This year�s election, like previous years, saw heavy spending from aspirants whom Daily Guide sources alleged were financed by some political parties, particularly the two main parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). A source wondered how students, many of whom were claiming their parents couldn�t afford the increase in tuition fees, were able to raise as much as GH�10, 000 to make expensive posters and banners and also finance their campaign teams. During the union�s float on Saturday, as part of activities of the four-day congress, residents of Ho who saw the posters and banners wondered if there was some kind of general elections going on. In a keenly-contested election, the young Ayariga, a student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, polled 137 votes, followed by Stephen Adingo- 98 votes, Rauf Adam- 87 votes, Samuel Obeng- 47 and Arhin Michael- 11 votes. In all, ten positions were contested for. They included the general secretary, treasurer, coordinating secretary, press and information secretary and financial controller. The rest are women�s commissioner, programmes and project officer, education and democratization secretary and the international relations secretary. The general secretary position, which was also keenly contested, saw Tafhim Gbonta polling 99 votes to take the position. He beat Japheth Ramtin who polled 96 votes, followed by Adizatu Banat, Salisu Issah and Gladis S. Cudjoe. Samuel Noi beat Lawerence Asare to become the treasurer. The coordinating secretary and press and information secretary positions were coolly clinched by Israel Venunye and Austin Brako-Powers respectively who both went opposed. Basil Pomeroy was elected financial controller as he polled 211 votes, beating Selasi Tay who polled 194 Votes. Ernestina Ofoe beat Angela Darko to become the women�s commissioner. Amponsah Eric beat Christian Adinkrah and Anuyuiseh to become the programmes and project secretary. Padi Emmanuel beat Edwin Coleman to become the education and democratization secretary. Cyril Xatse beat Dede Teyvi and Chris David Neequaye to become the new international relations secretary.