GNUPS calls on government to address concerns of POTAG

Cape Coast, Sept. 17, GNA - The Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students (GNUPS) has appealed to the government to find immediate solutions to the concerns of the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana (POTAG) to help prevent the disruption of the academic calendar of polytechnics.

Mr. Eric Taylor, president of GNUPS, said if the government failed to address the issue, they would have no option than to register their displeasure with fierce protest on the streets. He said this at the launch of the 33rd annual delegates' congress of the GNUPS under the theme, "Challenges of Polytechnic education in Ghana; the role of stakeholders and the way forward" at the Cape Coast Polytechnic.

The three-day congress is being attended by over 150 participants from the 10 polytechnics. He said the government initiated the establishment of polytechnics in all the 10 regions and had stated in its manifesto its commitment to improve polytechnic education and therefore should be quick to address its problems.

Mr Taylor spoke about delays in the award of HND certificates as well as recognition and placement of polytechnic products on the job market and expressed the hope that the Union would soon see a genuine commitment from the government in improving polytechnic education. He said students were appreciative of efforts from successive governments in motivating students with students' loans but added that it was inadequate and suggested that students be allowed to state the amounts they would need during their stay in school.

A Deputy Director of Education, Mrs Beatrice Obuor who opened the congress, said the polytechnics would in future develop into technical universities that would satisfy the productive needs of the country. She said the government would also continue to provide funding for polytechnics to carry out research and develop infrastructure and added that the concerns of POTAG and all others would be addressed with the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure. Mrs Obuor appealed to management of polytechnics to collaborate with industries and establish a common ground to find a solution to the problem of industrial attachment by students. The Adontenhen of the Oguaa Traditional area, Nana Kwamina Nyimfa IX, advised the students to make informed decisions and be studious if they are to take up the mantle of the nation's leadership in future.