NUGS President Appeals to Government to Remove Funding Cap for Education Development in Ghana

The President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, recently made an appeal to the government regarding several critical education-related issues in Ghana. At the forefront of his appeal was the request to remove the cap on funds allocated to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND). Kyeremeh argued that eliminating the cap would allow for more adequate resourcing of the fund, thereby facilitating increased provision of development projects within the school system.

During a NUGS Education Conference held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kyeremeh highlighted the adverse impact of the funding cap on GETFUND. He stated that without the cap, many schools across the country would have witnessed more infrastructural and development initiatives on their campuses. Kyeremeh further emphasized that the capped release of Ghc 3 billion in 2023 fell significantly short of the anticipated Ghc 7 billion, underscoring the urgent need for reform in funding allocation.

In addition to the appeal regarding GETFUND, Kyeremeh urged the government to ensure student representation on the boards of state institutions and youth agencies. He argued that such representation would help incorporate the perspectives and aspirations of Ghanaian students and youth into the decision-making processes of these organizations.

Furthermore, Kyeremeh advocated for the upgrade of the 46 training colleges in the country to autonomous university status. This move, he believed, would enable these institutions to offer a wider range of courses comparable to those provided by traditional universities, thereby enhancing educational opportunities for students.

Responding to these appeals, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, acknowledged NUGS' commitment to Ghanaian students' education. He emphasized the government's dedication to transforming education in Ghana, citing initiatives such as free Senior High School Education and the introduction of STEM education. Dr. Adutwum underscored the importance of education in driving national development, expressing confidence that the government's efforts would significantly impact the country's future by providing equitable access to quality education for all Ghanaian children, regardless of their backgrounds or previous educational opportunities.