The vice presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has exhorted students in the country to be peace ambassadors especially during the December elections. He said the political violence and insecurity being generated as a result of the elections were unnecessary. Dr Bawumia was speaking at the handing over ceremony of the Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS). The elections, he noted were not worth a “single drop of the blood of a Ghanaian” and should therefore not be a reason for politicians to endanger the lives of the people. The former governor of the Bank of Ghana said he symbolised the many students of Ghana and will champion their interest as vice president. He said the policy of free senior high education being proposed by the NPP flag-bearer, Nana Akufo-Addo was a laudable idea and should be supported by all students. Dr. Bawumia advised the students to contribute to moving the nation forward. The Member of Parliament for Abokobi-Madina, Alhaji Amadu Sorogo, also condemned what he called politics of insults and rancour. He told the students to avoid politicians who seek to use them as tools to cause mayhem. The Rector of the Institute for Professional Studies where the programme took place Prof. Joshua Alarbi shared his experiences with the students. The out-going GUPS president Mr. Patrick Ayittah appealed to the new executive of the union not to do anything to derail the progress made. He stressed the need for them to remain resolute even in the face of challenges. The new president, Mr. Anthony Abotsi Afriyie in his acceptance speech emphasised the need for students to build their capacity in order to contribute to the development of the country. That, he noted was in conformity with the fourth priority of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development which states that human resources are the most important growth factor. “The challenge of the youth, taking over from the current generation requires rapid acquisition of education and training especially in the areas of leadership and management”, he stated. Mr. Abotsi warned against complacency and ineptitude on the part of student leaders and students in general saying the responsibility posterity places on them as future leaders is huge and herculean. According to him, students must solidify their front if they are to make meaningful contribution to influencing policy directions in the country. “We must have the courage to confront the things that cast a slur on our integrity and work conscientiously towards correcting them,” he stated. The new GUPS president called on political parties contesting this year’s elections to draw clear policies on professional education in the country. He pledged the commitment of the entire GUPS executive to working to advance the interest of professional institutions and students alike. The other executive are Grace Nana Esi Boateng, General Secretary, Frank Adjei, Treasurer, Gifty Andoh Appiah, Co-ordinating Secretary, and Shaibu Abubakar, Press and Information Secretary. The rest were Women Commissioner, Elizabeth Sun Asante, Projects and Programmes Co-ordinator, Philibert Timpong, Financial Controller, Hayford Amoh, and William Bossman, International Relations Secretary. Story by Malik Abass Daabu