A final year Accounting student of the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS), Mr. Charles Othniel Abbey has been elected the President of the Students’ Representative Council of the institute. His election follows two years of non-existent substantive SRC president resulting from student unrest that led to the dissolution of the SRC in 2006. Since then an Interim Students Representative Committee has been acting in the capacity of a SRC to oversee student affairs in the school. Speaking at the handing over and swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Abbey promised to engage the school authorities in dialogue to address students needs saying the “era of confrontation and intermittent students’ unrest are over”. “The SRC under my leadership will commit to the use of non-violent (measures) to pursue our objectives”, he stated. According to him, the unfortunate incidents of students unrest in the past were as a result of the failure of school authorities and other stakeholders to live up to their responsibilities. “As we launch into the new IPS, it is my humble appeal to all stakeholders to demonstrate greater commitment to utilizing the” lessons learnt from our crisis to better position the institute, Mr. Abbey implored. He appealed to the youth not to allow themselves to be used by self-seeking politicians to to foment trouble in the country. “We strongly denounce the recent violence that has characterised the parliamentary primaries of the major political parties in which the youth have been misused by irresponsible politicians”, he stated. The new SRC president also called on the Electoral Commission to discharge its duties devoid of partisanship before and during the December elections. The Chairman of the Interim Students Representative Committee, Mr. Simon Amanor Sackey said the committee was mandated to amend the SRC Constitution, serve as a liaison between management and students and organize SRC elections. He said the committee executed the job offered it culminating in the conducting of incident free elections. Mr. Amanor expressed the committee’s appreciation to the school authorities for the cordial working relationship stressing the need for that to be extended to the new SRC executive in the supreme interest of the institute. A member of the committee, Mr. Fred Awaah said at a time when some institutions had turbulent times as a result of disputed SRC elections, IPS had successfully elected its leaders without protestations. He emphasized the need for the students to cherish the peace that prevailed in the school saying it was necessary for successful academic work. The Acting Rector of the institute, Prof. Joshua Alabi advised the students to let all their decisions be guided by good sense of judgement. He explained the reasons accounting for the somewhat high fees paid by students of the institute. According to Prof. Alabi the Degree programme being run by the school is not supported by the state therefore the authorities had to choose to levy students to run it or not do it at all. He aid considering the necessity of the programme, management decided to introduce it under very strenuous conditions. The Rector told the students he was open to discussions that were aimed at making the institute a centre of excellence in Ghana and Africa for that matter. The Coordinating Secretary of the National Union of Ghana Student, Mr. Vitus Gbang exhorted the students to endeavour to maintain peaceful atmosphere in the school. He urged management of the institute to involve the students in the decision making process to avoid mistrust. Mr. Gbang administered the oath of office to the newly elected SRC executive. They included Ishmael Ackah, Vice President, Ato Ferguson-Duncan, General Secretary, Benedicta Mattie, Ato Ferguson-Duncan, Local NUGS president and Jaqueline Osei-Owusu, Women Commissioner. The rest were Charles Owusu, Financial Controller, Ezekiel Amadu Daribi Treasurer, Bernard Adams Public Relations Officer and Chairman, Council of Course Representatives, De-Graft Amankwaa. Story by Malik Abass Daabu