Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the vice-presidential candidate for Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP), has issued a strong warning to student leaders to protect their organizations from political infiltration.
Speaking at the 57th National Union of Ghana Students Delegates Congress held at KNUST, Prempeh emphasized that such infiltration can severely compromise the integrity and mission of student organizations.
Prempeh, also known as “Napo,” drew from his experience as Minister of Education, recalling a time when division plagued student leadership. During his tenure, there were two competing NUGS presidents – one from the NDC and the other from the NPP.
He cautioned that allowing partisan politics to dominate can undermine the effectiveness of student organizations.
“I believe any government worth its salt should engage with key stakeholders who aren’t necessarily aligned with their political party. One such crucial body is NUGS, and that’s why I worked to ensure reconciliation between the two factions. NUGS plays a vital role in championing quality education and upholding integrity in our country”, he explained.
The former Energy Minister also renewed his call for political parties to sign an anti-galamsey pact, emphasizing the urgent need for a unified front against illegal mining activities. He stressed that tackling the menace requires collaboration across the political spectrum to implement effective policies and enforce regulations.
This event was held under the theme: “Depoliticizing education and upholding integrity; the role of stakeholders for national development”. The congress will see delegates electing new leadership to manage the affairs of the country’s largest students’ union.
NUGS president Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh emphasized the union’s significant strides in bridging the gap between students and decision-makers in the country.
He outlined the union’s achievements in ensuring that the voices of students are heard and represented in key national decisions.
“We have worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between students and decision-makers, ensuring that students have a say in the decision-making process. Students abroad who complained about delays in their stipend payments had their issues resolved. The government listened to our plea regarding allowances and the Student Loan Trust Fund,” he noted.
The NUGS President also urged students to understand that progress can be made through dialogue rather than resorting to demonstrations.
“Achieving all these great things doesn’t necessarily mean taking to the streets for protests. Through consistent engagement with authorities, we’ve been able to make substantial progress,” Kyeremeh added.
