The speaker of the University of Ghana Parliament House (UGPH), Right Honorable Justice Alor has voiced his support for the ongoing calls to review the University of Ghana Student Representative Council (UGSRC) constitution to better align with current demands.
Speaking on Campus Exclusive on August 7, 2024, Rt. Honorable Justice Alor highlighted the legal uncertainties regarding the supremacy of the UGSRC constitution in relation to the statutes of the University and national laws.
“Any student leader who has been actively involved in SRC matters would attest to the fact that our constitution does not fully address the demands of our present day. I believe the UGSRC constitution needs to be reviewed to meet the demands of the times.”
“First off, there is the issue of the supremacy of the constitution, which is outlined in Article 2 of the SRC Constitution. It is clear that this particular article needs to be reviewed. The review should clarify the relationship between the SRC Constitution, national laws, and the university statutes.”
He emphasized the need to update the constitution to address contemporary student issues, including mental health, digital literacy, and environmental sustainability. He noted that the existing constitution lacks mechanisms for students to voice their concerns on these critical topics effectively.
“The aims and objectives of the UGSRC, outlined in Article 4 of the SRC Constitution, need to be reviewed. The review should include specific goals related to modern students’ concerns, such as mental health and digital literacy. Even environmental sustainability and climate change, which are critical issues today, are not addressed. There is no advocacy mechanism to ensure that, as students, we can make our voices heard on these matters.”
RT. Honorable Alor further called for equitable representation of students at the General Assembly to ensure that every student’s voice is heard.
“Now, regarding the composition of the General Assembly, as outlined in Article 6 of the SRC Constitution, it is essential to assess the representation structure. This assessment should ensure fair and equal representation for all student groups, including non-traditional students and new faculties.”
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Story by: Abdul Wahab | universnews.ug.edu.gh
