Statement:Two NUGS Executives Removed From Office

We regret to inform you that due to the failure of Messers Ali Gbonta Tafhim (General Secretary of NUGS) and Austin Brako Powers (Press and Information Secretary) to act in a manner consistent with the code of conduct of the Union and in the best interest(s) of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), they have with immediate effect been removed from office.  

This action follows the results of an investigation that revealed that the publications making the rounds in the name of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) were issued by the above persons without recourse to the structures of the Union. Particular mention will be made of the following statements;

• “Creation of 45 constituencies are inappropriate – NUGS” (ghanaweb)
• “Fireworks @ NUGS: Peter Kodjie Steals GHC20,000 from NUGS Fidelity Account” (ghanaweb)
• “Give us quality, not free education - NUGS tells political parties” (myjoyonline)
• “Students need quality education, not "junk" freebies – NUGS” (ghanaweb)

The Union has suffered an irreparable loss as a result of these publications that sought to cast a slight on the image of the two presidents and the image of the Union in the public eye. Particularly disturbing is the fact that NUGS has just come out of a dark era of division and apathy. If things continue like this, Unity within the Union could suffer another blow; and should that happen we are not sure NUGS will pull through this time around.

The core values of NUGS stress cooperation and mutual respect as well as adherence to NUGS’ code of conduct. The situation where executives fail to adhere to the basic principles of probity and accountability is highly unacceptable; especially after the executives have been severally cautioned but have failed to heed the advice of the NUGS leadership.

The conduct of Messers Ali Gbonta Tafhim (General Secretary of NUGS) and Austin Brako Powers (Press and Information Secretary) as described above constitutes sufficient cause for disciplinary action.

Based on the actions of the two executives, NUGS’ core values have been compromised and extremely violated. By their actions, they have demonstrated an unwillingness to work cooperatively and collaboratively within the confines of the Union, and a failure to recognize and respect leadership’s authority.

Their formal disciplinary action is REMOVAL FROM OFFICE and all its attendant implications.

The purpose of this action (the removal from office) is to impress upon the two executives who have been removed, the seriousness with which we regard the above breaches of the code of conduct of the Union.

We have concluded that the two executives acted in this manner deliberately and that this constitutes a serious offence. This kind of behaviour is not acceptable and we will countenance it anymore.

We have directed that the executives must hand over all NUGS assets in their custody, including their identification cards and official files with immediate effect.

Further, a copy of this letter will be placed in the archives of NUGS and circulated to all the appropriate the appropriate quarters. We are hereby calling on their sense of responsibility to ensure that this situation does not reoccur in their future endeavours.

We wish it didn’t have to end this way, but the Union must set an example out of executives who take for granted certain privileges they are accorded. We thank them for their past contribution towards the growth of the Union.

Thank you.
Yours faithfully,

PETER KWASI KODJIE                                          OSMAN AYARIGA ABDULAI
   (NUGS PRESIDENT)                                                      (NUGS PRESIDENT)