Mr. Rashid Ibrahim, one of the top candidates in the 59th NUGS presidential race, has launched his official policy document called the New Direction Policy. This document contains thirteen new policies designed to benefit Ghanaian students at home and abroad.
In this article, we will look at the thirteen key policies shared by Mr. Ibrahim. His plans focus on student leadership, welfare, innovation, and gender empowerment.
The first policy is called Autonomy and Accountability Reforms for Student Leadership. Mr. Ibrahim explains that many Student Representative Councils (SRCs) in Ghana face too much interference that weakens their independence and decision-making.
According to him, this problem reduces creativity and makes student leaders less effective. His solution is to create a National Students’ Union Autonomy Framework that will give SRCs legal independence and proper accountability.
The second policy is called the Student Services Expansion Fund (SSEF). Many tertiary institutions in Ghana lack basic services such as career guidance, mental health care, internship support, and help for disabled students.
These services are common in top universities across the world but missing in Ghana. To solve this, NUGS will push for a special fund under the Ministry of Education or GETFund to improve student welfare.
The third policy is the SRC Innovation and Development Grant (SID-G). Mr. Ibrahim believes SRCs in Ghana lack money and resources to create useful projects for their schools and communities.
With this policy, exceptional SRCs will receive grants between GHS 10,000 and GHS 50,000 to run projects like tech contests, tutoring schemes, and climate campaigns. A national SRC Project Expo will highlight the best projects and allow them to be scaled nationwide.
The fourth policy focuses on a Women-in-Tech Initiative. Mr. Ibrahim says women in Ghana are underrepresented in technology because of stereotypes, low support, and lack of resources.
To fix this, NUGS will partner with government and private firms to create Women-in-Tech clubs, bootcamps, and a national SheCodes Challenge. Female students will gain training in areas such as coding, artificial intelligence, data science, and entrepreneurship.
The fifth policy is about Women Empowerment. Although more women are in schools, many still lack leadership opportunities and face challenges such as harassment and discrimination.
To address this, NUGS will create a Women in Leadership Acceleration Program and push for anti-harassment policies through the “Safe Her, Support Her” campaign. They will also establish a Women Entrepreneurs Fund and promote girls in STEM, especially in rural areas.
The sixth policy is Digital Transformation for Students. Many students struggle with poor access to digital tools and weak internet services.
NUGS will work with tech companies to provide affordable laptops, e-learning platforms, and better campus internet services. This will help students become globally competitive in today’s digital economy.
The seventh policy is the Green Campus Initiative. Mr. Ibrahim highlights the need to fight climate change and promote sustainability.
NUGS will support tree planting, renewable energy projects, and waste recycling programs on campuses. This will create eco-friendly campuses and encourage students to care for the environment.
The eighth policy is about Scholarship and Exchange Programs. Many students in Ghana cannot afford tuition and miss opportunities to study abroad.
NUGS will negotiate with government, embassies, and private companies to secure more scholarships and exchange opportunities. This will allow more students to access quality education both locally and internationally.
The ninth policy is the National Student Health Insurance Advocacy. Mr. Ibrahim says students still face problems accessing affordable healthcare.
NUGS will advocate for a special student health insurance package under the NHIS. This will reduce medical costs and ensure better healthcare for all students.
The tenth policy is called the Student Entrepreneurship and Start-Up Drive. Unemployment is a big challenge for graduates in Ghana.
NUGS will support campus-based business ideas, incubation centers, and startup competitions. This will prepare students to create jobs instead of waiting for employment.
The eleventh policy is Diaspora Student Engagement. Many Ghanaian students abroad feel disconnected from national student issues.
NUGS will create a digital platform to connect students abroad with local unions. This will give them a chance to contribute ideas and support projects at home.
The twelfth policy is the National Student Data and Research Center. Mr. Ibrahim believes Ghana lacks reliable data on student welfare, education needs, and future skills.
NUGS will establish a research center to collect and analyze data on student life, employability, and global education trends. This will guide better policies and programs for students.
The thirteenth and final policy is about Strengthening Alumni Networks. Most universities do not have strong links between current students and past graduates.
NUGS will work to create strong alumni partnerships that provide mentorship, internships, and career opportunities. This will build a strong support system for students after graduation.
Through these thirteen policies, Mr. Rashid Ibrahim hopes to create a new direction for NUGS. His vision is to build stronger leadership, improve welfare services, support innovation, and promote fairness for all students in Ghana.
Source : RAVEMAN NEWS GHANA