Communication’s Officer of the National Democratic Congress for Bole- Bamboi constituency in the Savannah Region, Mr. Bashiru Amantana is unhappy with Parliament’s vote against the absorption of tertiary fees for the 2021 academic year.
Parliament, on January 28, 2021, voted against a motion filed by the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, demanding the government to absorb fees of students in public tertiary institutions and also to extend support to private universities for the 2021 academic year.
Mr Bashiru expressed dissatisfaction with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs for voting against the motion.
The Communication’s Officer speaking on Yagbon Radio weekend program dubbed “Round Table” on January 30, 2021, said is a shame NPP MPs voted against the suspension of tertiary fees.
“Covid has affected many businesses negatively hence the inability for families to afford fees for their wards. Students risk deferring this semester” he indicated.
Mr. Ayariga premised his petition on the adverse impact of COVID-19 on incomes of parents. He cited the loss of jobs and economic instability brought on by the pandemic, describing his petition as a “condition of urgent public importance.”
He furthered that Mahama Ayariga’s motion was supported by student groups including the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and the Ghana National Union of Technical Students (GNUTS).
But, the efforts of Mr Ayariga and Ghanaian students to urge the government to absorb the fees proved futile as the matter was settled through a voice vote on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, January 28, 2021, he lamented.
Source: yagbonradioonline
