Accra, Aug. 12, GNA - The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) on Thursday appealed to the government to intervene in the standoff between the students and university authorities over this year's university fees.

This, it said would ensure a smooth academic year and also avoid any inconvenience to students and the society.

In a statement signed by leaders of the public universities, NUGS said it was disappointed in the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) and the authorities of the public universities for "the uncompromising manner in which they had conducted negotiations with student leaders" over the hike in fees.

"The crippling economic conditions, low salary levels, inadequate student loan facility and the lack of scholarship schemes in Ghana are crippling us fast," the students said.

NUGS asked all students not to pay the new fees announced by the universities.

The students had for several weeks now protested against the new fees and asked for them to be scaled down.