Opinion: STUDENT POLITICS

Politics should be a great friend of good governance, policies, accountability and transparency .This year being in the heat of election both on the country's calendar and our noble institution, I highly deem it necessary to discuss few issues surrounding student politics.

The national politics we hold in high esteem which is not much different from student politics comes to light some few questions to ask as students.

· How do we want our educational system to be managed especially at the SRC level?

· How should we hold this student leaders accountable if fail to deliver their mandate?

· What basis are we voting as students for these politicians?

· What new things will they bring on board for students’ benefit?

· Do they understand students’ needs and interest?

Demanding answers to these questions, we should take a critical look at how satisfactory our resources and student body has been managed.

Addressing few problems which has taken seat and ruling as a king in the student politics. The good work and struggles of some students who risk their education down the line for us to enjoy what we now call Student Representative Council (SRC) giving birth to student politics .Gone were the days where selfless dedicated students through positive means and influence were elected as leaders. In today's world, where there is technological advancement which should enhance the level of communication as well as students politics, its rather causing harm .Aspirant copy and paste messages from anonymous source directly into the various social media platforms as part of their campaign strategy without necessarily addressing issues of students interest and needs.

Another delicate issue that needs maximum attention is how these aspirants run their campaign in the traditional way. “Noise makers" as in the eyes of many students, influential are identified by these student politician in the various Halls and the university community at large as their campaign followers without feeding them with information and training about their campaign policy and strategy .These students are tipped off (given money and other incentive) to preach their messages to the electorate, but they turn the opposite. They sometime, move to the lecture theatres and in the course of their campaign activities disrupt teaching and learning .In the hall it is worse to talk about.

Moreover, chunk of the problem lies on the shoulders of the student .We elect leaders regardless of their competencies, in depth understanding of student issues and above all their strong desire to work in the student interest and impact positively.

In addition we fuel the vehicles of these student politicians to the success road as leaders with our support and vote base on popularity, sentiment and affiliation but not leadership. Student politics has come to see the light of the day where these aspirant flaunt their political ambitions and influence through dubious and unacceptable manner. It has now become business investment where these aspirant pump in money and other resources such as sharing of credit vouchers, goat, "soobolo”, sachet water, "koko", popcorn, wristbands and what are view.

The question we should ask as students is: if these aspirant have started their spending habit in this manner, how well will they manage our resources when we entrust them?

With my little observation about student politics and election ,manifesto reading should not be the only means to access the worthiness of the aspirant since it is well a planned and rehearsed ambitious statement to persuade electorates which does not necessarily address student needs and interest Therefore debate forums should be organize by the appropriate authority for the aspirants which will bring to bare their capability, competence knowledge and understanding on student issues and plight.

Wrapping up, I am appealing to the entire university community to elect leaders who will serve in our interest but not for their selfish gains.

A positive decision today will make a better institution tomorrow. Thank you.

Joseph kwame Nyarkoh, AkA Higher.