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.
This follows comments made by the PRO Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Gordon Awandare on May 27, 2020, concerning a possible 50% increment in the fees for the next academic year.
Prof. Awandare, in his interview with UniversNews, urged students to prepare for that increment as the new academic year approached.
“Students’ should plan for about 50% increment in academic and residential fees so if it is less you are not surprised,” he said.
However, in their petition to the speaker, the UGPH Majority Caucus indicated that the Public Universities should not be allowed to continue to execute the 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%.”
Full petition below
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