The Speaker of Parliament invited the leadership of the National Union of Ghana Students to a meeting to discuss the next steps. This is consistent with the Union’s advocacy to have the GETFUND UNCAPPED. A placard-holding event and picketing took place on the forecourt of Ghana’s Parliament, followed by a petition, to send a message to our legislators that we need GETFUND UNCAPPED for the positive advancement of education in Ghana. After a week, our advocacy piqued the Speaker’s interest.
The National Union of Ghana Students(NUGS) has presented a petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Bagbin. The petition submission is part of a series of steps being taken by the Union to remove the capping on the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).
The Speaker of parliament warmly received the delegation from the Union. The NUGS President, Dennis Appiah Larbi Ampofo, highlighted the need to uncap GETfund to ensure the education sector received enough funding to eliminate all barriers to education in the country. According to the President, ” the capping of GETFund has had dire consequences on the educational sector, including a lack of funds for Student loan beneficiaries and other educational projects”. A petition was then presented to the speaker calling on him to intervene and help facilitate the process of exempting GETFund from the Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act (Act 947).
On his part, Mr Gayheaert Mensah, a communications expert at the office of the Speaker, commended the Union for taking steps to uncap GETFUND. He also urged the Union to take a keen interest in critical national conversations.
The Speaker of Parliament after receiving the petition assured the NUGS delegation of his commitment to ensuring the concerns raised are addressed. He also took time to share life experiences with the NUGS delegation. He urged the team to continually participate in national conversations as NUGS has, over the years, served as an avenue where numerous national leaders have been groomed.