In a strongly worded statement, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana has dismissed allegations by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s involvement in the supposed astronomical increase in hall fees at the University of Ghana.
Agbana who is a former President of the University of Ghana Students’ Representative Council (SRC), described the allegations as baseless and an attempt to mislead the public, calling on Ghanaians to focus on the facts surrounding the issue.
“The assertion that the NDC is responsible for fee hikes at the University of Ghana is erroneous,” Agbana asserted, highlighting that the current University of Ghana Council is composed of representatives and nominees from the previous Akufo-Addo administration, which should be blamed for the hike in hall fees.
Per his assertion, President John Dramani Mahama, who assumed office earlier this year, has yet to constitute new university councils, further undermining the claims that the NDC influenced the increase in fees.
The Ketu North MP expressed disappointment in student leaders propagating unverified claims about the fee increases, stressing that student leaders are expected to understand and accurately communicate university administrative processes, rather than contributing to misinformation.
While debunking the allegations, Agbana joined calls for government intervention to ease the financial burden on students and their families.
He appealed to the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to explore avenues to reduce the fees.
The Ketu North MP underscored the importance of education as a cornerstone of national development, emphasizing the need for decisive action to ensure accessibility and equity in education.
“Education remains a cornerstone of national development, and we must do everything in our power to ensure that no student is left behind due to financial constraints – A swift and compassionate response from the government would not only provide relief but also reaffirm its commitment to prioritising the welfare of the youth, who represent the future of this nation,” he said.
The controversy over hall fees at the University of Ghana has sparked widespread debate, with various stakeholders expressing concerns over affordability in higher education.
Agbana’s statement aligns with a broader push for increased government support to mitigate the financial challenges faced by students.
As the discourse unfolds, stakeholders in the sector are urging the prioritization of factual communication and measures toward solutions that ensure equitable access to higher education for all Ghanaians.