This morning, The Education Committee of Parliament had the opportunity to meet with relevant stakeholders of the University of Ghana, Legon, to deliberate on the fees charged and paid by students in the 2022/2023 academic year.
I listened to the argument made by the University of Ghana leadership, leadership of the Student body and that of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission.
The university management argues that, the increment was based on the schedule submitted by parliament and same was supported by the fees and charges Act.
Apparently, the increment was made based on retrospective and current increment though same has a legal basis as per the schedule and that the UG adopted the baselines provided in the Act.
These baselines are the same as those approved in 2019. So it is within their right to apply the 15% increase on that baseline, regardless of whether they were charging that amount last year or not.
So simply, by charging lower rates last year, doesn’t deny them the right to use the previously approved rate as the baseline as provided in the Act.
The student leadership holds the view that, the directives from Ghana tertiary education commission was a fifteen (15) percentage point based on the previous fees paid by the students and not the baseline.
The Ghana tertiary education commission who is the regulator of tertiary institutions in Ghana submitted to the committee that, a directive was given for an upward adjustment of fees by 15 percentage of the previous fees paid by students.
The commission further urged the committee to force the University to comply with their directive.
MY POSITION
University of Ghana’s action was legal since their adjustment was made based on a schedule approved by parliament.
The position of the students was morally right when we situate the issues in the moral perspective.
In the circumstances, I appeal to both the students of the UG led by my good friend the SRC President to adopt the strategy of an appeal, after all, the focus is to have fees reduced.
On the other hand, I appeal on behalf of the students to the University Capos to attempt to look at this from a moral perspective, after all, the focus is impacting knowledge to the many Ghanaians willing and able to acquire knowledge.
Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah
A Member of Education Committee of Parliament
