Students and politics are recently becoming non-bipartite, although various concerns have given to counter against it due to political infiltration.
In spite of it, their active participation has played a significant role in making or breaking governments. This can be said for the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), who contributed significantly to the establishment of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GET Fund) in 2000.
It can, therefore, be said that these leaders have to be competent and proactive to make a change in their portfolios but it is bemoaning to see how student leaders are lost in causing dynamics among their colleagues.
Taking a toll back to students, particularly here on the University of Ghana main campus, it seems student political participation is deviating from the analysis of the personality and policies of an aspiring candidate to the physical appearance and personal relationship with them in churches and lecture halls.
Radio Univers took to the streets on campus to find out, what instigates students in their quest to elect a new candidate to represent the student body,
First student,
I think I will vote for an aspirant because of his looks, he has to look good to represent the school on prestigious occasions, although I will consider his policies, he has to be good looking
Second student,
I think students will vote from the way one brand and carries himself around and the reputation he has will affect how students will vote for the person. It is more with the optics than the policies because if negative things emerge before they launch their policies, they are deaf to their policies.
Third student,
I also think a student will vote is based on looks and how relatable they are with the pictures in terms of their dressing and confident poses. Also, the looks give them the trust that they will be able to represent them well on occasions.
But one student begged to differ stating,
I will vote for a candidate only for his policies if it will help me and my future generations to come. I don’t mind voting for a friend who is aspiring but if his or her policies are not helpful to the school, I will discard him or her.
Speaking to the former LOPA president and current National Lopa president, Daniel Amewor he stated that the real reason behind student motivation to vote is how relatable the aspirants are with them.
The policies and brands he later mentioned have less effect although students consider that as well.
So the question remains, are students decision to elect a new aspiring candidate going to be based on looks, how sociable he or she is or this time their policies will win them some mass appeal?
Stay Tuned!
By: Millicent Afranie/universnewsroom