NUGS demands resignation of IGP

Accra, May 29, GNA - The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), on Thursday called for the immediate resignation of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong in order to give the Police Service a new image.

Mr. Kweku Tuoho Bombason said: "NUGS believes that this is crucial, especially in the wake of the various unrests, unprofessional conduct of

some policemen, alleged corruption and maladministration to give the service a fresh face and image."

Mr. Bombason, speaking at a press conference in Accra noted that the situation was even more worrying where people expected to promote peace and security, especially the Police Service, seemed to be engulfed in illicit trade as clearly demonstrated by the missing cocaine kept in police custody.

"This equally has serious telling effects on quality human resource development of the nation as well as efforts being made to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of 2015," he added. NUGS also called on government to set up an independent committee to look into the activities of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force to carry out relief impact assessment exercise in the wake of the northern flood disaster. Mr Bombason said the last minute decision to deny NUGS the opportunity to be part of the impact assessment on flood affected areas should not be taken on face value.

"If this can be done to even NUGS, it means that a lot would be uncovered if an independent committee is established by his Excellency to probe the activities of those who administered the relief items to affected communities; no wonder some victims continuously insist that not even a tea-spoon of maize was received from government." On feeding grants, the union urged government to act immediately to enable Senior High School students in the north to return to school. "Indeed the union is stressing here that, if government fails within one week to get all Senior High Schools reopened in the three northern regions, we will advise ourselves."

Mr. Bombason further called for the removal of Mr. Ernest Adade, students' representative on the GETFUND Board saying, "We believe strongly that he is part of the unsatisfactory performance of the GETFUND Board."

"We further reiterate our call for a comprehensive Legislative Instrument to be passed detailing the modus operandi of GETFUND so as to avert haphazard use of this all important fund."

He said NUGS had already set up a five-member committee to investigate the quality of work executed from the proceeds of the Fund in some selected educational institutions across the country. On the students' loan scheme, NUGS urged all stakeholders to consider an increase of by at least 50 per cent effective 2008/2009. Mr Bombason noted that the recent conflicts in areas like Bawku, Anloga and Bunkprugu-Yunyuo were counterproductive to education, health and sustainable development.

"It is prudent that government looks at a more holistic way of resolving these conflicts so as to restore the needed peace and congenial atmosphere which is requisite for investment and development in general," he said.