Fresh Faces, New Vision: Private Universities Students Association of Ghana Elects New Executives

By Francis Appiah

The Private Universities Students Association of Ghana (PUSAG) has ushered in a new era of leadership with the election and inauguration of a new national executive body, marking a bold and transformative chapter for private university students across the country.

At a well-attended ceremony attended by student leaders, education stakeholders, traditional authorities and the media, Abudu Mahama was officially sworn in as the new President of PUSAG. In his inaugural address, President Mahama outlined a leadership vision grounded in service, accountability and national relevance, stressing that PUSAG must no longer operate on the margins of national discourse but must rise as a powerful voice for Ghanaian students.

“PUSAG is not an association of convenience; it is a national beacon, a crucible of leadership and a formidable pillar in Ghana’s democratic and developmental architecture,” President Mahama stated. He noted that the association has produced many leaders now serving in governance, academia, business and civil society, and pledged to strengthen that legacy through purposeful leadership.

A key focus of his address was campus security. President Mahama announced that his administration will elevate safety on private university campuses to a national priority. He revealed plans to formally engage the Inspector-General of Police and collaborate with relevant government institutions to implement structured police patrols and improved security systems across private universities nationwide. “No student should pursue academic excellence under the shadow of fear,” he declared.

The new PUSAG leadership also placed strong emphasis on education financing. President Mahama said his administration will aggressively lobby the GETFund Secretariat to expand scholarship opportunities and funding windows for students in private universities. He described the rising cost of tuition as a heavy burden on families and called for fairness in the allocation of national education support. “A Ghanaian student is a Ghanaian student, regardless of whether they attend a public or private university,” he said.

Observers say the clarity and depth of the inaugural address signal a leadership ready to move PUSAG from symbolic representation to real impact. With policies anchored in security, equity and inclusion, the new executives are positioning the association as a serious stakeholder in Ghana’s education and development agenda.

As the new administration settles into office, expectations are high among private university students across the country. Many are hopeful that this “fresh faces, new vision” leadership under Abudu Mahama will deliver practical solutions that improve student welfare and strengthen the voice of private tertiary institutions in Ghana.

— Francis Appiah