GRADUATE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION OF GHANA

Partners in National Development through Research and Practice

Our Ref: GRASAG/19.20/0012 Date: 08/09/2019

Your Ref:…………………………………
GRASAG CALLS FOR RELOCATION OF PAN AFRICAN PARLIAMENT FROM SOUTH
AFRICA

The Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG National) has called for the immediate
relocation of the Pan African Parliament from South Africa. This follows the recent xenophobic attack on
some Africans of black origin from the former apartheid country. He stated that South Africa is not
showing commitment to unity in Africa hence it is not befitting to have the Pan African parliament.

Speaking at its handing over ceremony held over the weekend at the Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science and Technology (KNUST), the president of the Association, Samuel Sagoe stated that “the
continual nasty and inappropriate act of brutality on some Africans who are going about their normal
duty in a fellow African country is unacceptable.”
“The danger is that, the same hatred if not curtailed could be extended to foreign students pursuing their
post graduate studies in South Africa. And this is why GRASAG is worried.” He said.
Mr. Sagoe also condemned the rather weak verbal intervention of the President of South Africa, Cyril
Ramaphosa, which sought to claim that the action is the handiwork of criminals and the subtle attempt by
the South African High Commissioner to Ghana to justify the barbaric acts stating that the sayings of
these officials “rather give credence to the fear of many that officialdom has sanctioned the attacks.”

He has also called on African leaders to go beyond paying lip service to the attacks and issue a befitting
punishment to the South African Country.

WITHDRAWAL OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITY’S BILL

GRASAG has also called for the immediate withdrawal of the Public University’s Bill which has been
drafted by Government, pending parliamentary consideration and approval. According to the President of
GRASAG, the Association “has strong reservations against the bill and call for outright withdrawal of the
bill from our public discourse.” “It is our considered view that, laws are essentially made to solve societal
problem or cure a mischief. However, certain provisions of this bill only create the avenue for mischief
and largely destroy academic freedom.” He said.
Mr. Sagoe added that “the drafters of this bill may have good intentions but leaving certain provisions of
the bill remaining the way it is now will only create avenue for a politician with ill intentions to
manipulate and unduly control policy directions, appointments and promotions to our public universities
in Ghana.”

The GRASAG President also used the opportunity to highlight some activities that the Association
intends to embark on in this academic year.

Please find attached the full Speech Delivered by the President

Issued:
Office of the GRASAG General Secretary
Samuel Sagoe Muniru Gazari Kwasi Frimpong
P.O. Box MP 4443 President Vice President General Secretary
Mamprobi, Accra +233 24 617 4064 +233 24 490 1994 +233 20 183 3775

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