Students to blame for recent 'no fees- no exams' impasse in some universities - Prof Yankah

Minister of state in-charge of tertiary education, Professor Kwesi
Yankah has stated that the recent uproar by some students in the
tertiary institutions over ‘no fees-no exams’ could have been
avoided if students had subscribed to the Student Loan Trust Fund
after enrollment to the tertiary institution.
According to him, students should be blamed for failing to pay their
fees on time since critically needy students could have applied for
loans from the Student Trust Fund earlier so these funds were
speedily disbursed to allow them write their exams.
On December 2, 2018 some students at the Ghana Institute of
Journalism where barred from writing end of semester exams due
to nonpayment of fees, this decision by the school authorities
sparked a demonstration on the school’s premises.
In response to this, the Minster of state for tertiary education has
said that the protests could have easily been avoided if students
had applied for these loans just about the period they were
enrolling in the tertiary institution.
“The recent uproar about fee payment in some tertiary institutions
which led to threat of eviction from exams room could have been
avoided if students with critical need had planned ahead and
subscribed to the loan scheme on enrollment. I am aware that the
student loan trust fund has enhanced its publicity in the past 2
years across public and private institutions and students needn’t
risk missing exams and jeopardizing their future only because they
owe some GHC500 or so which would have been speedily
disbursed by the Loan Trust on prior subscription.” He said
Meanwhile some students of the Ghana Institute of journalism
have indicated that one major reason that accounted for delay in
payment of their fees was dragging processes by the Student Loan
Trust Funds which for them, is something they cannot be blamed
for.
Academic titles may soon lose value in Ghana
On his part, Executive Director for National Accreditation Board
(NAB) Dr. Kingsley Nyarko who was present at the event hinted
that his outfit will soon go after institutions which award fake
doctorates to individuals in the country.
According to him, the recent use of the doctor title especially from
unaccredited institutions will reduce the relevance of the title.
He added that it is dishonest to use a doctorate title when it’s from
an unaccredited institution or an honorary one for that matter.
He called on other stakeholders to join the fight against the use of
fake titles to ensure that it does not lose it value.
“NAB’s awareness creation about unaccredited institutions and
conferment of fake honorary degrees especially honorary doctoral
ones has awakened consciousness of employers, parents and
students and the board receives requests inquiring about the
accreditation status of institutions before they make any move be
it for employment or further studies”
“It is dishonest to use that title when you know you are not
supposed to use that tittle” He added.