Aims and objectives
The aims and objectives of the Union per the constitution are as follows:
1. To protect and safeguard the rights and interests of students.
2. To offer a common platform –
(a) For the discussion of issues and problems affecting students.
(b) For coordination of students' activities.
(c) For the gathering of the opinion of students on matters of national and international concern.
(d) To inculcate in students the spirit of solidarity and patriotism.
3. To promote cooperation, understanding and friendship between and among students of Ghana and other people both in Ghana and abroad so far as the aims and objectives of such people do not conflict with that of NUGS.
4. To inculcate in students a high sense discipline, militant participation and a sense of revolutionary awareness of our cultural heritage and all the means by which they can advance this heritage.
5. To inculcate in students a high sense of nationalism with the ultimate aim of integrating them and ensuring their participation in all activities relating to national development.
6. To advance the concept of Pan-Africanism and to foster unity among Ghanaian students and other people of African descent and the world at large.
7. To seek the general welfare of Ghanaian students.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Union has undergone a tremendous transformation over the years. Currently the Union is made up of 5 blocs namely:
1. University Students Association of Ghana (USAG)
2. Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG)
3. Teacher Trainees Association of Ghana (TTAG)
4. Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS)
5. Regional SRCs of Senior High Schools (RSRCs)
ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
The Union has the following administrative structures:
Congress
This is the highest decision-making body of the Union. It is made up of representatives of all component institutions. Congress is held once very year where new officers of the union are elected. Congress also undertakes discussions on national policies especially of education and passes resolutions and issue communiqué.
Central Committee (CC)
The Central Committee of the Union is made National Officers, Bloc Executives as well as Local NUGS and SRCs of respective member institutions. CC meets at least 3 times in the NUGS year to discuss issues affecting students.
National Executive Committee (NEC)
This body is made up the National President, National Secretary, Coordinating Secretary, Press and Information Secretary, Treasurer, Women’s Commissioner and a representative each from all the blocs.
NEC sees to the effective operation of the National Secretariat in collaboration with other National Officers. NEC has the power to see to the implementation of the Union’s policies. This body could also initiate policies and programmes with the approval of CC or Congress.
National Secretariat
The National Secretariat is located in Accra and manned by National Officers. It is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Union.
Local NUGS Secretariats
Local NUGS Secretariats are established in every member institutions. The secretariats are manned by Local NUGS executives. The secretariat works in collaboration with the SRC and liaises with the National Secretariat to implement policies and programmes in the respective institutions.
Funding
The Union is funded by dues from members and assistance from well-meaning individuals and organizations.
VISION STATEMENT
The vision of the National Union of Ghana Students is to remain the largest, most recognized and credible student centered Union in Ghana and beyond.
MISSION STATEMENT
The National Union of Ghana Students is a non-partisan, non-religious student movement that seeks to protect the interest and welfare of students in Ghana by advocating and influencing policy issues on education, youth development and other important issues of national interest.
The Union also seeks to conduct its activities in a transparent and accountable manner and demonstrates leadership in honouring its responsibilities to students and society at large.
CORE VALUES
NUGS is unreservedly committed to upholding the following core values:
1 Honesty and integrity;
2 Team work and volunteerism;
3 Networking and collaboration;
4 Non-discrimination and mutual respect;
5 Communication and information sharing;
6 Adherence to ethics;
7 Adherence to democratic principles;
8 Avoidance of conflict of interest;
9 Gender equality and equity;
10 Commitment to excellence and capacity development;
11 Service to the nation;
SOME ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE UNION
The primary and most prominent achievement of NUGS is the successful organization of almot all students in Ghana under one umbrella union called NUGS.The continuous struggle and rejection of undemocratic and corrupt regimes in governance saw the birth of democracy which we are still protecting in Ghana. The union is noted for the current democratic dispensation that Ghana is enjoing. The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and the National Service Scheme are the brain children of NUGS.
The high leverage at which we respond to students’ demands and needs has given the union the much importance she deserves.The union has a lot of strength in her numbers and diversity of her constituent members.
These notwithstanding, there are some few problems that are trying to break the front of the union. Notably among them is the perceived/actual infiltration of political parties in the student governace system, politicization of issues, corruption and maladministration, lack of adequate resources to enable the union stand on it's feet, the absence of good institutional memories to mention but a few.
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