Concerned University of Ghana (UG) students staged a protest dubbed ‘Ya br3 Mo’ to express their outrage over the recent increase in Academic Facility User Fees (AFUF) and Residential Facility User Fees (RFUF) (RFUF).

The demonstration took place today, Friday, 3 February 2023, at the Obra Spot in Accra, with students dressed in red and black and holding placards.

Students organised buses from various areas of the university campus to transport them to the convergence point at Obra Spot, Kwame Nkrumah Circle.

The students want the government to order the university to reverse its decision to raise tuition prices above the 15% limit set by Parliament.

In January 5, 2023, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Kwasi Kwarteng, said body is hopeful that the nation’s premier university, the University of Ghana will comply with the 15% fee increase approved by Parliament.

Speaking on News Night on Metro TV, he said “Fortunately and unfortunately, the University of Ghana is saying that they may have to go back to Council before they make a determination on that.”

“From the Ministry of Education, we believe that at the end of the day whichever side that we may stand it is the law that becomes supreme, and at no point should any institution or any individual vary the position of the law”

“The position of the law is very clear. It provides that when it comes to such engagements and arrangements it is the sole prerogative [right] of the Parliament of Ghana which has made a determination so yes within the context of the organizational structure and corporate arrangements, they can proceed with Council engagements,” he said.

His comments follow the directive of the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has directed the Management of the University of Ghana (UG) to comply with the 15 percent increment in tertiary fees.

Mr. Adutwum disclosed in a meeting with the management of some public universities and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) on Thursday, January 5, 2023, to discuss student protests over fee increases.

The conference follows complaints by the student body that public universities had raised their fees above the 15% maximum set by Parliament.

The University of Cape Coast, the University of Education, Winneba, and the University of Mines and Technology have all agreed to comply with the 15% fee increase implemented last academic year.