The National Union of Ghana Students, (NUGS), has commended President Akufo-Addo for his leadership in steering the state machinery in the fight against coronavirus in Ghana.

NUGS made their thoughts known at a meeting with the President at the Jubilee House on Friday, the 24th of April 2020, as part of government's consultations with key stakeholders and identifiable groups in the country on future steps to win the Covid-19 National fight.

Isaac Jay Hyde, current President of NUGS, in his remarks on behalf of his colleagues, noted that the entire student body in Ghana and on the African continent are deeply impressed with the way and manner he has exercised his authority in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Your children both home and abroad say they extend warm greetings to your exceptional leadership. They have also asked myself and my hard-working executives, tertiary and national student leaders, drawn from all unions across the country to smear more grease to your leadership elbows" Mr Jay Hyde said.

"The student movement has closely monitored and learnt a lot from your passion and tenacity to rid the nation and Africa of this coronavirus. The student union wish to commend your efforts, Mr President, for you bold, decisive and extraordinary leadership in these difficult times. We are even more proud to associate with your government because within just three years of tour leadership, you have become an African and global icon" the Nugs President added.

NUGS Unity

On the unity of NUGS, Mr Jay Hyde noted that under the auspices of the sitting Minister for Education, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the required unity that has eluded the student body the last three years is now a thing of the past.

"The Ghana Union of Students for over three years was divided for which reason we couldn't have a coercive front to engage government and make ourselves relevant to contribute our quota to national development. But under the leadership of Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who has been forthright with concerns of the student front, he has seen to the unity of the Union of Ghana Students" Hyde said.

President Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo in his opening remarks welcomed the student leadership body to the Jubilee House, the seat of the country's Presidency. He noted that his government is very much aware of the adverse impact that the current Covid-19 restrictions are having on students. To this end, he indicated that he thought it wise to have them meet with him and to discuss ways through which the burden imposed on them can be mitigated.

"I want you to have the opportunity to tell me what your own preoccupations are and we will do that out of the glare of the media," President Akufo-Addo said.

NUGS

NUGS is the mother body of all student unions in Ghana; consisting of six (6) Blocs namely; University Students Association of Ghana (USAG), Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG), Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS), National Health Students Association of  Ghana (NAHSAG), Teacher Trainees’ Association of Ghana (TTAG), and Regional Student Representative Councils (RSRCs).

NUGS is a democratic, non-partisan and progressive mass movement comprising of students in Ghana and Ghanaian Students abroad with the primary aim of protecting and safeguarding the rights and interest of Ghanaian students. The student body also advocates to inculcate in them a high sense of responsibility, patriotism, discipline and for that matter Nationalism with the ultimate aim of integrating them and ensuring their maximum participation in all activities relating to National Development.