Ghana: Information on the National Union of Ghanaian Students (NUGS), on the leaders for 1992-1995 and the national secretary, the activities of the union and the response of the government, and whether the union experienced harassment in 1992-95 period
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 August 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GHA24564.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ghana: Information on the National Union of Ghanaian Students (NUGS), on the leaders for 1992-1995 and the national secretary, the activities of the union and the response of the government, and whether the union experienced harassment in 1992-95 period, 1 August 1996, GHA24564.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac8c60.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Several media reports indicate that the National Union of Ghanaian Students (NUGS) was very active in the period 1992-95. After the presidential elections of November 1992, the NUGS reportedly called for a general boycott of the elections claiming this was a move to return the country to a one-party dictatorship (Reuters 28 Dec. 1992).
In 1993 the NUGS held a demonstration to press demands for an increase in their loans (IPS, 24 Mar. 1993). The students clashed with the police and the University of Ghana was closed indefinitely. Two students were reportedly hit by bullets and some arrests were made (ibid.). According to an article in the West Africa magazine of 18 April 1993, this incident outraged members of Ghana's opposition parties such as the National Patriotic PaRty (NPP), the People's Heritage Party (PHP), and the Ghana Bar Association. The parliament reportedly invited the Minister of Education to explain the events leading to the violence and closure of the university (ibid).
In October 1994 the NUGS allegedly objected to the government's proposal to introduce school fees at the secondary level (GBC Radio 30 Sept. 1994). In March 1995 the NUGS staged a five-hour demonstration in the capital, Accra, to demand an increase in their student loans (AFP 8 Mar. 1995). NUGS "is demanding among other changes that the government increase student loans from 200,000 cedis (190 dollars) per year to 450,000 (430 dollars)" (ibid). The Union also called for a national conference on education, a boycott of lectures, and a demonstration in support of student demands (ibid). The students boycotted lectures for two days but the boycott was called off after students met with a government delegation led by the Minister of Finance, Kwesi Botchey (ibid). Both sides agreed to a new student loan of 350,000 cedis (330 dollars) and to set up a committee with student representation to explore ways of making the loan scheme self-financing (ibid.). In June 1995 the NUGS was involved in a demonstration in Accra and Kumasi to protest against a government move to increase fees for academic entry (The Washington Times 8 June 1995) and in August 1995 the students reportedly staged a five-hour demonstration in Accra in support of a call to replace the Minister of Education, Tom Sawyer (AFP 16 Aug. 1995).
A 24 March Inter Press article stated that the president of MUGS was Paul Asare Ansah whereas an AFP report of 8 March 1995 mentions Emmanuel Newman as the president. The articles do not indicate whether union leaders were arrested or are wanted by the government.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 3 October 1995. "Student Union Objects to Introduction of Fees." (NEXIS)
_____ .9 March 1995. "Students Call Off Boycott After Government Compromise on Loans." (NEXIS)
______ .8 March 1995. "Minister to Meet Students Following Demonstrations." (NEXIS)
GBC Radio [Accra, in English] 30 September 1994. "Student Union Objects to Introduction of Fees."(BBC Summary 3 Oct. 1994/NEXIS)
IPS. 24 March 1993. "Ghana: University Closed Down Following Clashes." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 28 December 1992. "Boycott Overshadows Vote for Ghana's Parliament." (NEXIS)
The Washington Post [Washington, DC]. 8 June 1993. "Ghana Students Protest Planned Fees." (NEXIS)
West Africa [London]. 18 April 1993. "Ghana: Furore Over Legon Brutality."