The transition of life is such that it has to be progressive. From birth to death, from Level 100 to 400. That is the structure of life. And so should there be growth and progress in the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
However, this structure can be distorted by virtue of leadership, natural disasters, unforeseen circumstances like COVID-19. So do we have it now, a distorted pattern of living, affecting all factors of life globally.
It is regrettable the dire effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, however, a it is more profound to note the cracks of leadership and in this sense, student leadership.
In an earlier article I published on March 5, 2020, I requested the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) present an outline of how the elections should be held, and everything concerning it. A week after, COVID-19 struck and we are where we are, an uncertain future on all levels.
While it is sad to note that some have put their lives on hold (which I pray they find a reason to go back chasing their dreams and goals whatever it be), it brings me joy to state that some others have also capitalized on it to make adequate provisions for sustainable development.
The SRC President, and his administration has not been proactive enough in the following ways:
1. Providing adequate development for students.
2. Equipping functional organizations on campus to flourish.
3. Giving a roadmap to who among the current crop of Level 300, going to Level 400 will fill the various SRC positions.
I am privy to the information that SRC funds are not adequate enough to do much and indeed, if I am being fair, there isn’t much to be done in the Ghana Institute of Journalism in terms of physical provision of structures, however, many more things could have been done to aid students in various ways.
It will be unfair of me if I do not acknowledge the very good works of the likes of Patrick Nambe and Elorm Michael Zah. Nambe, the General Secretary has from time without number been a great aid to student and next to none in terms of communicating SRC issues to students, and Elorm with the passport policy and driver’s license policy has been able to help many students acquire a passport, birth certificate or any valuable document. However, these deeds aren’t enough. We needed more, but above all, the Sir Joe manifesto promised more.
It is grievous to think that a communication school like ours is not the best debating institution in the country. It pains my heart to know the likes of University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology takes so much pride in debate and communications and not us. My point: If our SRC dues cannot provide physical structures, the various organizations like the halls, debating club, among others should be adequately financed through the SRC to raise the standards of the school. I must say that attending schools like Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High (Presec) and the rest which are concerned first class schools isn’t just about academia but functional groups who are determined and adequately financed and equipped for success. It is my prayer that the next administration (if there will be any) will consider this greatly, GIJ needs an uplifting in standards and we have the Human Resources to accomplish that task.
Finally, I ask, who will be our next crop of leaders? Who are those that will man the affairs of students? Why the delay in thinking?
I’m not saying the Sir Joe tenure hasn’t provided a thinking administration,
I am only saying that proactivity vision best serves a generation yet unborn. Last I enquired in April from an SRC position holder, the fellow told me his outfit is working and will soon release a statement, I am sorry but we are in August.
It is unfortunate we had this pandemic but it is also regrettable to know that not much has been done to the knowing of students.
For example, how will voting be done in a safe way and an incorruptible manner? I’m sorry but a lot of financial investment have gone into political campaigns already and this uncertainty is not worth it.
We need to understand where we are going as an institution. We need to have new leaders to be able to properly guide students and maintain a healthy relationship with the administration. We could have capitalized on Zoom to conduct vetting, we couldn’t capitalized on the various applications to cast our votes and above all, we could’ve equally campaigned effectively since many students are now glued to social media. So why the delay?
A nation is built with the mind first before the hands.
The dangers ahead and the way forward
The Ghana Institute of Journalism has put to bed any talks of the next students’ leadership ever since COVID-19 struck, halting academic progress for a while before the school turned online.
This has dire consequences on students’ interest should things remain this way going into the 2020/21 academic year. It means that when the Sir Joe-led administration finally bows out, GIJ wouldn’t have student leadership and the school’s administration must take over.
Possible difficulties that can arise from this is that, the school administration can implement any policy without taking into consideration students’ interests. For example, the issue of re-sit and retake exams.
Secondly, what will happen to SRC dues paid by students? Who is going to manage it and what is it going to be used for?
Also, freshers will be admitted this semester. If they come and have not met any students’ leadership, what will be their attitude towards student leaders that will be elected or appointed onwards?
These are issues that students must resolve to find a way of getting student leadership in place at the earliest.
What are other tertiary institutions doing?
The University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology have abandoned the norm of the usual elections because we are not in normal times. They have resorted to appointing their next students’ leaders to curb any incidence of the above questions raised and have introduced the appointed executives to their Deen of Students and school management.
Why are we so different? Why must we be bent on elections at all? The elections are meant to protect students’ interests. So, can we strike a consensus and protect ‘the students’ interest’ we seem to want to protect with the elections?
Another solution to this is that, in consultation with Dean of Students, School Management, and SRC Executive hopefuls they can consult with these hopefuls and find a solution to this dilemma.
Signed,
Osei Bernard Esar.
Level 400.
Osagyefo Hall.
