Editorial News of Friday, 24 August 2001

Source: --

Students kick against Union's praises for govt

A section of students at the University of Ghana, Legon, have described as empty, the recent praises said to have been "showered" on the NPP Government for absorbing the increases on the University academic and residential facility user fees.

According to the students, the NPP Government is merely implementing an NDC Government policy, which the latter, while in opposition, attempted to nip in the bud. For, the ?15 billion, which the Government is proudly releasing to cushion off costs, is actually from the revenue accrued from the special 2? percent VAT, levied for the purpose of building up the Educational Trust Fund.

The Palaver recalls that the NPP "raised hell", when the NDC Government made the proposal. The party's parliamentary group at that time moved "heaven and earth" to sabotage the parliamentary process. Strangely enough, they were supported by the then leadership of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), says the paper.