Executives of the University Students Association of Ghana (USAG) paid a working visit to the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, to discuss comprehensively, recent hike in hostel prices on university campuses, fate of the UTAG strike and others.
The visit by USAG to the Education Ministry also led to a fruitful discussion on special attention and policy for students with disability, women in STEM, sexual harassment codes in tertiary institutions, possible subsidy and a regulatory body to inspect and check the fees schedule of private institutions.
Leadership of USAG made it known to the Minister of its displeasure on the hike in hostel prices and accommodation for students on various university campuses across the country – both private and public.
They asked the office of the Minister to help join the fight against the hike as majority of the problem is related to increase in demand and little supply.
Commenting on the UTAG Strike, the minister of Education stated emphatically that, “the strike is not happening and hopefully, not anytime soon as research allowances have been increased and UTAG would act in good faith”.
USAG also requested policies and special scholarship schemes for students with disability. This according to them, will “enhance their education and increase the percentage of disabled students in our institutions”.
The meeting also discussed an appropriate and convenient fee schedule for private institutions. UTAG advocated for a subsidy and if possible a regulatory body and checks into Private Universities fee schedule.
“Private universities pay such huge amounts of fees and over the years, have cried for help and thus, it would be important their needs are met, as Ghanaian tertiary students as well”, they said.
An advocacy was made for more policies, projects and programs to be focused on STEM and women, in order to encourage our females into the field and boost interest as well.
The Minister informed USAG of well-thought plans, projects and policies put in place to facilitate the advocacy and that, he is also a keen believer in the idea of increasing Women in STEM.
The meeting ended with an advocacy for sexual harassment codes and policies in university campuses. The Minister promised he would work on a possible national policy relating to the topic with his team, and assess existing sexual harassment codes and policies in various institutions to enforce it to safeguard our dear females.
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