*A Parliamentary Candidate for the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency in the December 2012 elections, has asked students at the Sociology Department of the University of Ghana to initiate an advocacy campaign for an upward review of the students’ loans scheme, operated by the Students Loans Trust Fund to enable students in tertiary institutions in Ghana to overcome the financial hardships they face while studying on the various campuses.*

*“Young intellectuals like you should be idealistic. You should be able to rely on the physiological, safety, belongingness, esteem and self-actualization concept of motivation in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory for instance, to explain student apathy towards civic education and non examinable but useful programmes on campus; and to advocate for a more adequate student financial support scheme, sufficient to cater for fees, accommodation, books, transport and other living expenses on campus, a campaign I will personally lead when elected member of parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency”.*

*The charge was made by William Dowokpor, Progressive People’s Party (PPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, at a political seminar organized by the Sociology Students Association (SOSA) of the University of Ghana over the weekend, as part of the 19th SOSA Week Celebration, under the theme: Maintaining A Violence Free Elections- the Role of the Student and the Politician.*

*Presenting his position on the role of the student in attaining a peaceful election, William Dowokpor called for a thorough understanding of the election process as well as the rules of engagement, by students, charging them to abide by the rules and encourage others to do same. ‘When you abide by the rules, some will call you names; they will say you are too idealistic. But tell them the essence of university education is to influence society with tried and tested ideals in a positive way” he said.*

*He made a personal commitment to abide by the political parties code of conduct in election 2012, both in words and in deed. “There should be no justification for violence in any elections in a democracy and my deep understanding of democracy and good governance convinces me that political or public service is a voluntary service to the people and one does not need to engage in violence to get the opportunity to serve” he explained.*

*William Dowokpor advised politicians to focus on sharing their vision for the country with students instead of attempting to influence them with cash, fast cars and weapons, to engage in acts that disturb the peace before, during and after elections. *

*He reiterated his commitment to get the students actively involved in the governance of the constituency, insisting “that is the only way we can collectively have our constituency problems such as lack of jobs for the youth, threats to life and property by armed robbers, unreliable utility and public services and inadequate financial support for students on this campus solved, to give real meaning to having an representative in parliament”.*

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