The President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Mr. Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, has emphasised the critical role education plays in empowering the youth, warning that undermining the educational sector is a direct attack on the future of young people in Ghana.

Speaking on EduTalk Show with JoyNews’ Emefa Apawu, the NUGS president said that the union remains resolute in ensuring that government improves the standard and quality of education being delivered.

Mr. Kyeremeh stressed the importance of education as the foundation for empowering the youth.

"This year’s NUGS elections is going to be devoid of political infiltration and we are going to stand on our feet fearlessly and stand in for the student front. I believe that the student front is only genuine front that could front many worrying issues affecting the youth in this country. The reason why I am much focused on our educational sector is that, if you want to weaken the young people in this country, the main medium you could use is education," he said.

The student leader said his administration has prioritised educational advocacy and ensuring that the Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies are held accountable for their actions.

He expressed concern that neglecting the educational sector could have long-term consequences for the youth and the nation as a whole.

"We are very keen on ensuring that the necessary measures are put in place. The Ministry of Education is well-checked. The other agencies are well-checked to ensure that the right thing is done," he added.

Mr. Kyeremeh also addressed the perception that NUGS has been influenced by political affiliations in the past, which has hampered the union's ability to advocate effectively for students. He acknowledged that political infiltration has been a significant challenge, making it difficult for the union to criticise government policies when union leaders are aligned with the ruling party.

"Over the past years, people have seen the union as a politicised front. There was a lot of political infiltration which prevents us from embarking on a lot of advocacies," Mr. Kyeremeh explained.

He pointed out that this has led to a lack of accountability and has weakened the union's influence in championing student issues.

However, under his leadership, Mr. Kyeremeh is determined to change this narrative.

"In the early days of my administration, I’ve been that kind of leader together with my executives. Standing fiercely, speaking to ill issues in the country. Speaking to ill issues affecting young students in the country," he asserted.

He assured that this year's NUGS elections would be devoid of political influence, allowing the union to focus solely on the interests of students.

Mr. Kyeremeh emphasised that the student front is the only genuine platform capable of addressing the myriad issues affecting the youth in Ghana. He believes that by remaining politically neutral and focused on educational advocacy, NUGS can effectively represent the concerns of students and contribute to the broader development of the nation.

NUGS’s vision for a politically neutral and education-focused union presents an opportunity for it to reclaim its role as a powerful advocate for students in Ghana. Their commitment to ensuring that the educational sector remains a priority reflects a broader understanding of the critical role education plays in shaping the future of the country's youth.