Tensions have escalated at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) as the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG), GIMPA Chapter, has openly accused the institute’s management of intentionally withholding student funds.
The association claims this move is a calculated attempt to frustrate GRASAG’s programmes and undermine student-led initiatives meant to empower and intellectually engage the student body.
In a statement released in Accra, GRASAG–GIMPA expressed frustration over what it described as persistent financial obstruction. This, the association said, has crippled several of its flagship events, including the highly anticipated 24-Hour Economy Public Lecture and the Women’s Empowerment Summit—both central to this year’s GRASAG Week celebrations. Despite sending repeated letters and making follow-up requests, the association said their pleas for the release of funds had been ignored.
Describing the situation as a deliberate effort to sabotage student activities, GRASAG–GIMPA stated that its executives had been forced to use their personal resources to keep essential programmes running and to uphold their constitutional responsibilities.
The association’s leadership also took the opportunity to defend its Patron, Prof. Wisdom Akpalu, and Registrar, Dr. Victoria Mwinsumah Puoyeng Kunbuor, from what it called “malicious and fabricated claims” disseminated by unnamed individuals seeking to tarnish their reputations. GRASAG–GIMPA dismissed as false recent reports suggesting Dr. Kunbuor was a signatory to the association’s bank account, clarifying that all financial transactions are conducted in full compliance with banking and institutional regulations.
Furthermore, the association alleged that some individuals within GIMPA were actively working to undermine honest leadership in GRASAG, with certain senior lecturers allegedly lobbying for the Patron position to enable misuse of student funds. GRASAG–GIMPA described such actions as unethical and a threat to the independence of student leadership.
The association also highlighted the positive impact of Prof. Akpalu’s advisory role, citing achievements such as the establishment of a GH¢50,000 Graduate Studies Endowment Fund for financially challenged students, the creation of modern study rooms, and the setup of a Business Centre offering subsidised printing and academic services.
Calling on GIMPA’s management to immediately release all outstanding student funds, including arrears from previous years, GRASAG–GIMPA urged the administration to avoid further actions that could stifle academic freedom, student welfare, or progressive leadership. The association reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, democracy, and accountability, and announced it was preparing for executive elections as the current leadership’s term concludes in November.
In closing, GRASAG–GIMPA stood in solidarity with Prof. Akpalu and Dr. Kunbuor, apologizing for the unfounded allegations made against them and pledging to remain steadfast in upholding truth, transparency, and the continued growth of the GIMPA community.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
