Bawku Central MP Pushes Gov’t To Pay University Students’ Fees

Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has requested for prior approval from the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, to move a motion to force the government to absorb the fees of students of tertiary institutions.

In a letter dated 15th January, Hon. Mahama Ayariga explained he wants to move the Motion under Order 50 (1) to compel the government to absorb the fees as part of the government’s COVID-19 relief programs.

“I write to seek your prior approval to move a motion pursuant to Order 50 (1) in the following terms: That this House Resolves to request the President of the Republic of Ghana to take urgent steps to suspend the payment of admission fees by new entrants into public tertiary education institutions and continuing students of those institutions for the 2021 academic year as part of the national COVID-19 relief programmes being implemented by Government,” he wrote.

He explains that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the finances of households have generally been ravaged. Many people too have lost their jobs while the Economy has generally taken a hit. Yet, since schools have reopened, students and parents must pay fees or risk not being admitted.

Hon. Ayariga pointed out that Parliament was the one which set the fees of the tertiary institutions in 2019 under the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provision) Instrument LI 2386, however, since these were set, the country’s economic situation has changed drastically owing to the Covid-19.

He notes that “Order 50 (3) –The application of the fees and charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Instrument, 2019 (LI 2386), being a financial legislation, can only be suspended by an amendment introduced on behalf of the President.”