There is uncertainty over the issue after school authorities instructed students to pay what Mr. Ayariga described as “illegal” fees.

The University Students Association of Ghana (USAG) earlier called on all students of public tertiary institutions not to pay their recently increased fees for the 2017/2018 academic year until Parliament approves the increase.

[contextly_sidebar id=”rLJo2Ix38hdXfzV1L0lR2FVGEZhgxhVR”]Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, Mr. Ayariga who is also a member of the Subsidiary Legislation committee in Parliament said “it is important for Parliament to exercise oversight because with public universities government financing is going into them and so if you are charging fees we need to know exactly what the fees are for.”

“By law…all public institutions that are rendering service and charging for the service will have to bring their fees and charges to Parliament for approval before they can levy those fees and charges. Education institutions owned by the state must all submit fees they charge and charges that are levied for Parliament for approval. They have not been doing that, only one public university, Wa polytechnic, ever brought their fees to Parliament for approval.”

Worried by the issue, Mr. Ayariga confronted the sector ministers when they appeared before the vetting committee adding that “when they assumed office I wrote to them drawing their attention for the need for them to get the institutions under them to bring their proposal.”

He said all efforts including hurling the Education Minister to the Floor of Parliament to have the issue addressed proved futile.

“Parliament has gone on recess, universities are about to open, they have already given letters to new students on which fees to pay and those fees have not been approved by Parliament. And that is where we have a problem. And that is where I indicated that I gave you enough notice… and you had all the time and you refused to act within the time limit and the only way is to go to court and let the court to send a clear signal to the universities that they are under the law and they must act in accordance with the law,” he added.

Maintain existing academic fees – Council 

Meanwhile, the National Council for Tertiary Education has asked management of the various public institutions to maintain the 2016/2017 academic year fees and charges; while Parliamentary approval is sought for any adjustments for the 2017/2018 academic year.

A statement issued by the Council, and signed by the Executive Secretary, Professor Mohamed Salifu, said: “The proposed fees and charges for the 2017/2018 Academic Year have been collated for consideration and approval by Parliament.”

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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A statement issued by the Council, and signed by the Executive Secretary, Professor Mohamed Salifu, said: “The proposed fees and charges for the 2017/2018 Academic Year have been collated for consideration and approval by Parliament.”

“This is in accordance with the requirements of the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (Act 793) and Amendment Instrument 2016 (L.I.2228).”

It said following the decision of Parliament on the proposals, some adjustments may need to be made to the 2016/2017 levels to reflect the approved levels for implementation.

The Council, therefore, urged all stakeholders, including the Management of public institutions, prospective and continuing students and the public to take due notice and comply with the directive.

“…considering that this may take a while and in order not to unduly delay the reopening of tertiary education institutions for the 2017/2018 academic year, you are advised to ensure that your fees and charges in the meantime reflect same levels as in the 2016/2017 academic year.”

The Chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament, Mr Mahama Ayariga, has threatened legal action should the due process of law not be followed in getting the 2017/2018 fees and charges approved by Parliament.

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Source: GNA

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The President of the association, Emmanuel Kwarteng Frimpong told Citi News that the current fees are too exorbitant.

[contextly_sidebar id=”LTZIeOXGdBxEODKV64A4fYO2ev7bulze”]According to him, the association has received numerous petitions from students over the increment in fees and his association is demanding the breakdown of fees so each student knows what services they are paying for.

“Until Parliament goes through the fees, gives the breakdown and approves for students, we should withhold payment, just in fulfillment of the constitutional provisions (Fees and Charges Act 793),” he stated.

The Fees and Charges Act 2009 (Act 793), which was amended by a legislative instrument (LI2228), 2016 seeks to safeguard the public against arbitrary and haphazard charges and levying of students by universities.

This Act mandates vice chancellors to seek approval from Parliament, through the National Tertiary Council, Mr. Frimpong reminded.

“It is a humble plea to the Vice Chancellors of Ghana that it is only prudent, fair and appropriate that that we get the breakdown of what exactly we are paying for so that we will have the firm knowledge of what we are being charged and what we are supposed to pay.”

Protests over the fees began in July, with continuing students of the University of Ghana complaining about the rise in their fees for the 2017/2018 academic year. Each year, the university increases fees based on prevailing inflation rate plus 2%.

The Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Professor Kwesi Yankah, recently urged the vice-chancellors of Ghana adhere to the Fees and Charges Act 2009 (Act 793).

He noted they had resorted to fixing fees and other levies without recourse to the law.

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By: Zoe Abu-Baidoo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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