General News of Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Source: GNA

GNUPS asks Mills to review GETFund Act

Accra, Jan. 21, GNA - The Ghana National Union of Polytechnic Students (GNUPS) on Wednesday reminded government of its promise to review the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Act to reflect the objective for which it was established.

In a congratulatory message to President John Evans Atta Mills issued in Accra GNUPS said: "The union has taken notice of the promises the President has made with respect to placing much emphasis on science and technical education." GNUPS said it believes that government could only achieve that by resourcing polytechnics with better remuneration for staff and more resources for research.

"It is the hope of union that, as someone who has been in the educational sector for over 25 years, attention would be given to the numerous problems confronting education in this country, most especially the polytechnics."

The statement said it was unfortunate that since the elevation of polytechnic education to tertiary level, not much attention had been given them citing lack of accommodation for students and the "annual ritual of strikes by POTAG and TEWU due to low levels of salary and poor condition of service".

GNUPS also congratulated Vice President John Dramani Mahama and the first ever lady Speaker of Parliament, Mrs. Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo on their elevation. "It is our hope that, as a team, they will together deliver the better Ghana agenda," the statement said. 21 Jan. 08