By Alhaji Salifu Hadara

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on the occasion of International Youth Day, 12th August, 2024, launched their Youth Manifesto and the aftermath of the launch is not without controversies. Just like their 24hr Economy, which has become a scarecrow to them, Mr. John Mahama is promising the youth of Ghana Free Level 100 Academic Fees if he wins this year's elections and this has sparked controversies again.

Characteristically of the NDC on their policy proposals, the proposed policy has been marred by controversies in their attempts to explain it to Ghanaians. What did Mr. John Mahama really say at the launch? He indicated among others that “We will implement a no academic fees policy at the university for level 100 students,” 

Immediately after that, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, the NDC Director of Inter-Party and CSOs/Corporate Affairs went to his Facebook page and wrote "No-Stress-fees for tertiary students: No fees stress for level 100 students as their Academic Facility User fees for Level 100 is paid and support offered through an enhanced and responsive Student Loan Scheme" The contradictions about this policy within the NDC started right from the announcement to the social media. Carefully looking at both statements, one could even notice that more contradictions were going to accompany these teething antagonisms. The flag bearer of the party, Mr. John Mahama used the word 'university' whiles Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor used 'tertiary'. 

Predictably, unfolding commentaries by NDC gurus indicate that NDC leaders themselves don't even understand the policy they intend to implement if Ghanaians give them the mandate. Clear contradictions of their own policy just like their own difficult to explain 24hr Economy. 

Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, NDC MP for Bulsa South Constituency was visibly and boldly trumpeting this policy on National Television on 13th August, 2024. He unequivocally stated that all public tertiary institutions' Level 100 students in Ghana will benefit from this policy. Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, the NDC National Communication Officer reiterated that the policy will cover all Level 100 students in public tertiary institutions including Colleges of Education, Nursing Training Colleges, Technical Universities, among others. 

However, in a sharp contrast to the statements made by both Dr. Clement Apak and Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, the NDC National Youth Organizer, Mr. George Opare Addo emphatically stated that the policy will benefit only Level 100 students in public universities. He went further to state that Level 100 students in the various public Technical Universities in Ghana will not benefit from the policy. It is bizarre how a party that has stayed in opposition for almost eight years is bereft of ideas and always confuses it's members and the general public on their policy proposals. 

This confusion has rocked the grassroots of the NDC as well. As their leaders tell the public that it is going to be implemented through enhanced and responsive Student Loan Scheme, they are on the social media space 'shouting' free education for Level 100 students in all public tertiary institutions or universities in Ghana. Do we blame them? No! The leadership of the party are in a state of confusion as manifested by the events catalogue in this piece, that are publicly known. 

The other side of the confusion that the NDC are not even explaining to Ghanaians is what the policy really entails. Is the policy covering the whole admission fees or portion of the admission fees, called academic fees? Or is it the point that NDC want to bring their Student Loan Scheme to replace the Teacher and Nursing Training Allowances through the back door? Further and better particulars are required without confusion and contradictions from the proponent of this policy. 

Anyway, if the policy is about Student Loan Scheme, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has already made it easy for students at all levels in tertiary education institutions in Ghana to access the loan with the all important "No Guarantor System"  for Student Loan Application, using the Ghana Card. Is the alternative really empty and scary? The unfolding inconsistencies say it all. 

Thank you

Alhaji Salifu Hadara

A Patriot

North East Region

salifuhadara21@gmail.com

14/08/2024

Powered by Froala Editor