Students at the University of Ghana can put their worries to rest as academic fees for the 2022/2023 academic year are expected to be released this week.
Students, over the past few weeks, have expressed immense worry over the absence of the announcement of the fees for the next academic year.
According to the Pro Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Students Affairs (PRO VC ASA), Prof. Gordon Awandare, the industrial action by some public university labour unions is what caused the delay in the announcement.
He added that the University Council met within the course of last week, and from the meeting, it was decided that the fees would be released this week.
Registration of courses for the next academic year is, however, expected to begin on Monday, December 19, 2022.
Meanwhile, the majority caucus of the University of Ghana Parliament House has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bgbin to intervene in a purported increment in academic and residential fees for the 2022/2023 academic year.
In their petition to the speaker, the UGPH Majority Caucus indicated that the Public Universities should not be allowed to continue to execute the proposed 50% increment due to the economic crisis facing the country, which has negatively affected businesses.
“The timing for the proposed 50% increment of academic and residential fees is wrong and not favorable for students, parents and guardians. The economic crisis of Ghana had had negative impacts on the businesses and financial incomes of parents and guardians of students in public universities. The 40.4% inflation rate for October 2022 has contributed negatively to the standard of living of families whose wages are not meaningful.”
According to them, an increase in residential and school fees by 50% will be harsh on parents and students.
“An increment in academic and residential fees by 50% will mean that these families will have to crack the nuts to be able to fend for the academic needs of their wards in public universities in Ghana.”
They called on Parliament to reduce the percentage should the Management of Public Universities insist on the increment.
“That even if there is still the need for an increment in academic and residential fees for the 2022/2023 academic year, it should not be anything more than a 10% to 15%.”
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Story by: Kelly Adjetey Boye | univers.edu.gh.gh
