General News of Saturday, 18 October 2003

Source: GNA

GUPS to launch professionalism campaign seminar

Accra, Oct. 18, GNA - The Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS) said on Saturday that it would soon launch an annual campaign for student leaders and the public to discuss possible issues that could raise the level of professionalism in the country.

The first seminar would be held in November, this year under the theme: "Nurturing and Sustaining Professionalism for the Achievement of the Golden Age of Business - The role of the Professional Student."

A statement signed by Mr Carl N.A Addo, National Secretary to the Union, said the decision was based on the realisation that there has been a decline in the level of professionalism in all fields of academic discipline.

The statement said a report by the UNFPA showed that failure to invest in young people, promote and ensure their rights would have serious repercussions on the individual and society.

It appealed to government and corporate bodies to assist in providing education, examples, opportunities and resources that could empower the youth and increase productivity.

GUPS is also requesting that recommendations of the President's special committee on educational review should be implemented. It said the union had set up a committee to inquire into exorbitant school fees charged by some professional institutions and the problems of accreditation facing some members.

The statement expressed concern about the deteriorating conditions of the country's prisons and called on the Minister of Interior to expedite action on improving the dehumanising conditions.

The Union congratulated Archbishop Appiah Turkson of the Cape Coast Diocese of the Catholic Church, Dr Sam Jonah, Chief Executive Officer of Ashanti Goldfields Company and Ms Adjoa Yaboah-Afari on their recent elevation as a Cardinal, a Knight of the British Empire and President of the Ghana Journalist Association respectively.