Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings has called on students not to be cowed into the backburner during political discourse but to make their voices audibly heard.

“You have a moral and constitutional right as citizens of Ghana to have your voices heard,” she stressed.

Speaking at a lecture at the Ghana Technology University College over the weekend, Nana Konadu said due to the selfish interests of political parties, hitherto neutral student groups have been suppressed.

“I am not against students and young people taking part in politics but I am against the relegation of our national student groups to the background because of the selfish interest of political parties,” she stated.

‘State of despondency’

The founder of the National Democratic Party (NDP) added: “It is indeed disturbing to see the level of abuse of both the SRC and NUGS in elections by national political parties.”

She, therefore, urged student leaders to play their role firmly in nation-building.

“I implore you the young ones who are the future drivers of the state in our country’s development to critically assess the role you have to play in this current state of despondency.”

President of the College Dr Osei Darkwah called for the formulation of national policies beyond political parties.