Students Told To Stop Frivolous Lifestyles

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Monday, 06 November 2006 (Page 4)

Students of tertiary institutions have been advised against unnecessary competition to the detriment of their pursuit of academic excellence.

The Managing Director of Unique Trust Financial Services, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, who gave the advice observed that some students are now competing in fashion and use of flashy cars instead concentrating on their studies.

He questioned: "Who do you want to impress. Is it the world population of 70 billion or Ghana’s over 20 million people?"

Speaking at the fourth matriculation ceremony of the Wisconsin International University in Accra on Saturday, he advised students to avoid craving for unworthy things.

"Control your personal interest. Go at your own pace and do not try to impress anybody," he urged.

In all, 366 students were admitted into the university for a four-year programme in various fields.

Mr.Amoabeng said that leadership in Africa has failed the generation a for not providing excellent education, adding that "the systems to ensure that people who qualify get what they deserve or are put in the right place, have failed us as a nation."

"Those who come out from our educational institutions with the best grades are not the best," he said and explained that some of them get their grades by dubious means like "grade buying".

He advised the students to be realistic in all aspects of life and stay focused.

Always make their grievances known to the authorities and not resort to attempts to overthrow the system.

The Principal of the university, Dr. John Anum Sackey, said that the number of matriculants is the largest intake since the establishment of the university in 2000, bringing the student population to 720.

He said that the university has begun evening programmes for workers who want to improve their professional competencies.