The
impact of education in Ghana -
The role of student towards mediation.
AUGUSTINE KWAKYE ARJARQUAH
ABSTRACT
Country:
Ghana
Language:
English
There are over 15,000 primary schools, 5000 junior Secondary Schools, 3000 Senior Secondary School. 38 Teacher Training Colleges and 4 Universities with 8 Polytechnics. The relative attendance rate is pegged at 26% with poverty and conflicts being the key players.
Religious conflicts between institutions are common as in recent clash of a Methodist Junior and Islamic Secondary School in sports and entertainment in Central Ghana. Broken home affect students academically and socio-economically hence counselling services are provided to improve upon the family conflicts in homes of students.
There are occasional clashes among people of various ethnic groups as occurred recently in the Northern part of Ghana, claiming several lives. National Union of Ghana Students had to bring pressure to bare on the both parties of warring factions and advocated for curfews and polices reinforcement in the area.
The University Teachers Association of Ghana (GNAT) and several other national workers union recorded over 36 Mega demonstrations from January - May, 2000 in bid of better conditions of service. National Union of Ghana Students of which I am a leading member through serious Lobbing, press conferences and mediation fora has solved most of these conflicts by creating public awareness through education.
The various conflicts prevailent in Ghana cause breaks in academic calender, Increase in crime rate such as sexual harassment and pick pocketing among others. Human rights violation during clashes with police the exercising of students constitutional rights in Article 21 section 1d of the constitution of Republic of Ghana. (1992) Stating that all persons shall have freedom of assembly including freedom to take part in processions and demonstrations;
This resulted in the breast injury of Miss Vida Ofori through shooting by police over increment in students loans amongst several cases.
There are serious strains on the economy as a result of conflict and hence affects academic performance. Student leaders like me are victimized with some student activists, causing unrest on the various campuses and bringing the academic lives of such individuals like me during demonstrations common in occurrence hence retarding business.
Organisation
of fora, press conference, press realeases and public education on trival
but sensitive issues that can lead to conflicts and ensured.
Proper communication modalities such as circulation of print materials
of sensitive on notice board with talk shows inclusive are enhanced.
Students, Workers, families, groups must be consulted in major decision
affecting them to minimize chances of conflicts.
Essay competitions, Quiz competitions, Arts and craft on conflict prevention
with very attractive prizes.
Proper interactive mechanisms between students and authorities are enforced
like students lecturers consultative assembly for unilateral decisions
to avert controllable conflicts. This is what I have initiated and implemented
in the University of Cape Coast.
Secretary of the NATIONAL UNION OF GHANA STUDENTS (NUGS),
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST-SECRETARIAT
Search
Home
Papers
Credits
Sponsors Agenda