As the Nation celebrates its 55th independence day, the National Union of Ghana Students wishes to congratulate the Nation, Ghana and more importantly express its sincere gratitude to all Ghanaians for achieving two decades of uninterrupted democracy. It is the fervent hope of the students of Ghana that on this day of our independence, we will give thought to the things that have kept us together for the past 55 years and do away with all the negative things that threaten our cohesion as a people. This call is informed by the observations that NUGS has made with respect to the exercise of the fundamental freedoms that we enjoy which sustains our democracy; especially, freedom of speech. NUGS has observed with a lot of concern, the blatant abuse of the freedom of speech which has become a threat to the democracy which we are enjoying today. The abuse of the journalist, Madam Gifty Lawson by the BNI and National Security operators is a clear case in point. We therefore wish to remind all and sundry that it is only in a stable democratic state that any meaningful development can take place. If our forefathers Kwame Nkrumah, Ako Adjei, William Ofori Atta etc won independence for us fifty-five years ago and by the efforts of other great men such as Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, Former First Lady – Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Former President – John Agyekum Kufuor, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, Mr. Kweku Baako Jnr, Mr. Anas Aremeyaw Anas, among others have sustained our democracy; it is therefore expected of the current generation to do everything within its power to jealously guard this democracy for themselves and future generations. Whereas we believe that democracy as a system of governance is the best for this country, we also wish to emphasize our firm believe that democracy thrives on an informed and enlightened citizenry. We are therefore calling on the Government of Ghana, Civil Society Organizations, Pressure Groups and all other stakeholders of education to ensure that the educational rights of the Ghanaian is protected through the expansion of access to quality and affordable higher education. It is very important to stress tertiary education here because it is that level of education that is able to equip the individual with the needed skills and knowledge to be able to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the country through the ability to bring about change at the community level. An unambiguous emphasis must therefore be put on access to Tertiary Education. Here, NUGS wishes to call on the President to take greater responsibility for ensuring the stability of the country. The President ought to be seen to be calling his appointees to order at all times. The situation where members acting on the authority of the President spew insults on political opponents is unacceptable within Ghana’s political space, and should be condemned by all. The politics of insults should have no place in this country! And if the serenity we are enjoying is to be sustained, the President – Prof. John Evans Atta Mills ought to take the lead to assure every other person that it is possible to do politics without insults and ill innuendos. President Rawlings showed the way; similarly President Kufuor demonstrated that cardinal leadership that saw a smooth transition to our current president, H.E Prof. Mills. The onus now lies on President Mills to demonstrate strong leadership and lead this country through this election peacefully. Whilst NUGS cautions the President, we also wish to call on all actors within the body politic of Ghana’s democracy to be circumspect in both words and action so as to preserve the country for growth and development which should be the interest of everybody. The youth are also advised not to allow themselves to be used for any nefarious activity that will throw this country into a state of pandemonium. Long Live Ghana and may God Bless us all. Signed. Peter Kwasi Kodjie, (President-NUGS) Email: president@nugsgh.org freekodjie@yahoo.com Courage Kwasi Nobi (Gen. Secretary-NUGS)

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