A former member of the University Of Ghana SRC General Assembly and former Secretarial Committee Head of the SRC, Mr, Gilles Ametepe has waded into the calls for reforms of the SRC and its bodies.
In an article released a few days ago, the French Club President and Press and Information Secretary of NUGS – Greater Accra argue among other things for the review if the SRC constitution as well as the election of General Assembly members among others.
Below is the full article as authored;
OF THE UG SRC AND OF THE NEED FOR REFORMS – INPUT OF AN SRC FMR LEGISLATOR..
Almost six (6) decades of advocacy and leadership work for University of Ghana students; our SRC has seen quite a lot in its lifetime but just like any other institution, we have reached that place where our going forward will be endangered without reforms.
As a student leader, I found it a duty to make an input in the ongoing conversation on the state of our SRC and on the needed reforms to rejuvenate our council.
Below is a list of proposed reforms I submit to the perusal of Legonites.
CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW AND RESHAPING OF THE SRC STRATEGIC PLAN:
The brains behind the SRC Strategic Plan unveiled under the leadership of President Joshua Dogbey have in their wisdom suggested that our constitution be reviewed in 2017. It will be just cause for the new SRC leadership to do so. As this is done, I humbly suggest that our SRC Strategic Plan be looked into to make it fit our current and future needs.
REFOUNDATION OF THE SRC GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
There is a need for the structure and purpose of the General Assembly to be taken a look at. We need a GA that can make constitutional amendments, vet and approve SRC appointees among others. The leadership of the house should also be expanded to include a Second Deputy Speaker. It will be of great service if *caucuses can also be formed in the house. This I believe will enhance the effectiveness of the house and bring new life into our political discourse.
ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
JCRs, faculties and other bodies have representatives at the GA of the SRC. A good number of these fellows are not elected, creating a feeling of misrepresentation among the student populace. I humbly suggest an amendment making the election of General Assembly mandatory in the various constituencies. This I believe will give more legitimacy to the house.
ELECTION OF LOCAL NUGS PRESIDENT AND WOMEN’S COMMISSIONER:
It has become a standard in our national student political landscape to have Local NUGS Presidents and Women Commissioners elected. This is done in sister schools like KNUST, UCC and UDS among others. Our immediate past Local NUGS President, Hon. Derrick Abotsi in his report on congresses to GA suggested same. This I humbly add my voice to as it is my belief it will help in the growth of our democracy.
CLARIFICATION ON THE STATUS OF ACCRA CITY CAMPUS (ACC) AND DISTANCE EDUCATION (DE) STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATION:
The university management sees what could be tagged as “Legon SRC” as the only representative council of University of Ghana students. That stand, is in contradiction with the SRC constitution, proceedings of the General Assembly and that of national students umbrella bodies such as the University Students Association of Ghana (USAG) and the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS). I humbly suggest the new SRC Executive Officers negotiates the official recognition of the ACC and DE SRCs by the university management.
CRAFTING OF LEADERSHIP STRUCTURES AT FACULTIES AND COLLEGES’ LEVEL:
Every student in the University of Ghana is a member of a faculty and a college. This putting us all in special boxes with needs the SRC sometimes fails to address due to a gap in communication. I humbly suggest that the council encourages and supports the crafting of leadership structures for all faculties and colleges. These faculties/colleges officials will then be able to effectively represent their constituents and be a link between them and the SRC.
To conclude, I would humbly suggest a General Assembly Consultative Commission on Reforms be formed to look into these issues and give the platform for the student populace to make an input in the reformation of our council.
This is in no way an exhaustive list but if implemented these reforms will go a long way in strengthening our SRC and empower our student front.
Thank you.
®Authored by:
Gilles Ametepe,
UG French Club President
Fmr Member of UG SRC GA.