Some students of the University of Ghana (UG) and Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) are kicking against the increase of fees for the 2020/21 academic year. 

At the University of Ghana, there is an increase of more than 12 per cent in the fees.

Speaking to JoyNews, the students said the increment is "insensitive" considering the financial toll the Covid-19 pandemic has had on them and their families.

“I was dumbfounded to see such an increase in fees considering the times we are in and how this virus has affected businesses and households. I think management a broader consultation on it,” one student said.

Another stated that there are parents who have lost jobs and have families who are finding it tasking to make money in this coronavirus period.

“It is surprising how, we are going to school for only six weeks and instead thinking the school might actually reduce the fees we are going to pay huge fees,” one student added.

He explained that because the number of weeks they will spend in school for the academic year was low, he and others were expecting it reflects in the fees.

“This is really heartbreaking for most of us,” he added.

Other students also called for a review of the semester fees especially in the era where many of their classes are being done online.

Per the Fees and Charges ACT, all fees and charges must receive parliamentary ratification before coming into effect. 

The University of Ghana and Ghana Institute of Journalism are the only public tertiary institutions to have released their fees schedule for the upcoming academic year after the Covid-19 restrictions forced schools to be closed for months. 

Meanwhile, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) says it is also concerned about the hikes and has asked students in affected institutions not to pay the new fees yet.

General Secretary of NUGS, Divine Edem Kwadzodeh told JoyNews that his outfit “has been engaging with the government for about two to three weeks now to reduce the fees.”

He stated that they are looking to meet with the Committee in Parliament in charge of Education to deliberate further on the reduction.