Steve Kubate Salifu, a level 300 Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) has been elected as President of the Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS) for the 2013/14 Academic Year.
Steve obtained 105 out of the 153 total vote cast to beat his contender Solomon Seidu Gbelizean from JAYEE University College who had 48 votes.
This happened in the just ended 11th Delegates’ Congress of the Union which was held at the University of Energy and Natural Resource in Sunyani.
In his victory speech, Steve Salifu called on candidates, both winners and unsuccessful to rally behind him to advocate and advance the developmental agenda of professional students in the Country.
Steve among other things mentioned he would advocate for the amendment of the GETFUND Act to include private universities as well as the upgrading of some tertiary institutions like National Film and Television Institute and School of Social Work.
Prior to his election, Steve has been the President of GIJ’s Sutherland Hall, President of Institute of Public Relations-GIJ Chapter and a onetime Deputy Speaker of GIJ’s Students’ Parliament.
In the other portfolios, Eunice Mintah Young, a level 400 student of GIJ lost narrowly to her contender, Gertrude Adzo Borklo a final year Banking and Finance Student of University of Professional Studie(UPSA) by 7 votes: Eunice had 73votes whilst Gertrude had 80votes.
Senyo Gladstone of GIJ, Kwame Bonah of UPSA, Fred Ansong of UPSA, Nana Yaw Edusei of UPSA and Gabson Gakpo of UPSA were elected Press and Information Secretary, International Relations Officer, Treasurer, Financial Controller and Projects and Programmes Cordinator Respectively. These students stood unopposed.
The Women’s Commissioner Portfolio was keenly contested by Rachael Tutu of University of Professional Studies (UPSA) and Rachael Oforiwaa Arhin (Oforiwaa) of Ghana Institute of Journalism. Rachael Arhin won with 95 votes whilst her opponent had 54 votes.
The Delegates Congress, which started on Wednesday 17th July, brought together Eleven Professional Tertiary Institutions from across the country. Some of which were Zenith College, University of Development Studies, Institute of Business, Management and Journalism, and University College of Management Studies (Accra & Kumasi). The Elections were generally described as peaceful.
Meanwhile, Candidate for Coordinating Secretary position, Emmanuel Blankson, was disqualified for his lack of knowledge of the GUPS Constitution and functions of a Coordinating Secretary.
