By: Nana Antwi Boasiako
President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Daniel Kyeremeh has strongly cautioned against the government’s consideration to close down all colleges in the country due to the ongoing strike by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG). As the strike enters its 67th day, students are bearing the brunt of the impasse, with many forced to leave campus and those remaining demanding closure to alleviate the financial burdens of rent, feeding, and other expenses.
Kyeremeh emphasized that closing the schools would be a misguided approach, as it would undermine the negotiation process between the government and CETAG. With no pressure on the government to meet the teachers’ demands, the strike would likely drag on, further disrupting the academic calendar and causing irreparable harm to students’ education. He argued that keeping the schools open, despite the challenges, maintains pressure on the government to resolve the issue and address CETAG’s concerns.
Furthermore, Kyeremeh expressed concern that closing the schools would disenfranchise the negotiation process, allowing the government to delay or ignore CETAG’s demands. He urged the government to engage in constructive dialogue with CETAG to find a resolution, rather than resorting to measures that would only exacerbate the situation. By keeping the schools open, Kyeremeh believes that a resolution can be reached, ensuring that students’ academic pursuits are not unduly disrupted.
