Our Borders Should Not Matter, NUGS Speaks On International Students Day

The 17th of November is the International Students' Day, an international observance of student activism. The date commemorates the anniversary of the 1939 Nazi's storming of the University of Prague after demonstrations were embarked on by the students of Czech Republic against the killing of Jan Opletal and the occupation of Czechoslovakia, the execution of nine student leaders, and the over 1200 students who were sent to concentration camps as well as the closing down of all Czech universities and colleges.

It is sometimes celebrated on a day other than November 17, for a nonpolitical celebration of the multiculturalism of their international students.

The National Union of Ghana Students has also not been exempted from the rifts and rafts of political instability here in our motherland.

In earlier times through demonstrations and other forms of positive radicalism, we have fought for the Sole interest of our constituents and would not relent on this course.

We at the National Union of Ghana Students cannot celebrate this day without using it to Trumpet the numerous plights while taking necessary steps to avert them thereby creating a serene atmosphere for academic activities.

Reports reaching NUGS indicate that, international students in some universities pay higher for accommodation than their local counterparts. This we deem as an unacceptable act aimed at exploiting our non-citizens in the country in addition to the absurd amounts they are charged as school fees. We believe that charges for accommodation should be same for every student regardless of their nationality and we would see to it that these acts are discontinued.

Furthermore, the stress one has to deal with in adapting to life in another country is unbearable.

Some of our Ghanaian students who are also regarded to as International Students where they are pursuing their education under government scholarships suffer delays and unexplainable reductions in their allowances and we believe that if care is not taken it would go a long way to affect their academics and the standard of living which can make some of them engage in social vices bringing the name of the country into disrepute.

We, therefore, charge the Ministry of Education to look at these issues critically and take necessary measures to rectify the situation.

In conclusion we would use this opportunity to let our constituents know the need in making our Voices heard the right way and also charge the government to pay critical attention to the needs of our members in the diaspora on our way forward as the Citadel of democracy.

We also thank the All African Students' Union (AASU), the National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) Ghana, the Foreign Students' Association (Ghana) , (FSA-GH), the FSAs of all the institutions in Ghana for their immense support to NUGS and we can assure them of a better partnership in the days ahead.

Long Live NUGS

Long Live AASU

Long Live GHANA

ALUTA CONTINUA , VICTORIA ASCERTA

SIGNED:

Anthony Abavelim
NUGS International Relations Officer .
( +233248920775 )

Prosper Dzitse

NUGS President

( +233546580044 / +233501336136)