Over Unpaid Thesis And Bursaries Grant

The Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) has expressed anger about the failure of government to pay thesis and bursary grant to members of the association and has thus hinted on a nationwide demonstration if the issue is not resolved.

GRASAG said while it is grateful to the government for the 100 percent increase this year, members wish to register their displeasure about the delay in releasing the money.

The thesis and bursary grant is a fund allocated by government to lessen the financial burden of post – graduate students in the country but the association has questioned if the objective is being achieved, as most students struggle to complete their projects due to the recurring delay in the payment of the grant over the years. At a press conference held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi on Thursday April 27, the National President of GRASAG, Dr. Samuel Bert Boadi – Kusi noted that GRASAG has engaged in several dialogue and negotiations which have all proved futile and contrary to the assurance by the Minister of State in charge of scholarships at the Office of the President, Hon. Kwadjo T. Likpalimor, that the payment will be made by Friday April 20, 2012; the monies have still not been released.

He explained that the academic year of the public universities in Ghana ends by May, 2012 and the late arrival of the money hampers the research work undertaken by the students.

“It has a lot of serious implications for the graduate student. Some go to the extent of having to borrow monies in order to collect data from the field. If we are interested in nation building, we need to invest in the graduate student and the quality of research,” Dr. Boadi – Kusi added.

According to the GRASAG President, they have been left with no choice than to speak the only language which government understands.

“GRASAG hereby serves notice of its intended plan of action emanating from an emergency senate meeting as follows: 2nd May 2012, we will have a final press interaction on the matter; 7th May 2012, a demonstration to be staged in Accra which will be entitled “ YABR? DEMONSTRATION”. Until the thesis and bursary grants are paid, we will not relent in our efforts to use every legitimate means at our disposal to get what is due us”.

By David Apinga, Focus FM, KNUST, Kumasi