THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL OF

THE GHANA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM

IN THE NAME OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD, We, The Students of the Ghana Institute of
Journalism
Determined to ensure the highest development of spiritual, academic and leadership qualities
among our members;
In a spirit of unflinching solidarity and fraternity with sister institutions, the youth and the
people of our nation and all other nations;
Resolved to abide by democratic principles and let our knowledge and experience have
liberation effects on all people as far as within our sphere of influence;
DO HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER CONTENT ARTICLE PAGE

The Preamble --- ---

ONE Name 1 1
Supremacy of the Constitution 2 1
Enforcement of the Constitution 3 1

TWO Aims and Objectives 4 1

Composition 5 2

THREE The Executive Committee 6 2

Executive Committee functions 7 2
The Legal Aid Office 8 4
Eligibility of Executive Officers 9 4
Challenging of Elections 10 5
Tenure of Office 11 5

FOUR General Assembly 12 6

General Assembly Functions 13 6

FIVE The Judicial Committee 14 7

SIX Removal from Office 15 9

Impeachment 16 9
Vote of No Confidence 17 10

SEVEN The Electoral Commission 18 10

Electoral Commission Functions 19 11
Conduct of Elections 20 11

EIGHT The Women’s Commission 21 12

General Assembly Committees 22 13
The Audit Committee 23 13
Procedure of Committees 24 14
Finance and Organising Committees 25 14
Finance 26 14
Halls, Clubs and Societies 27 14

NINE The 48th Army Engineer Cadet Force 28 15

The GIJ Choir 29 16

TEN Suspension of the Constitution 30 16

Amendments 31 16

SCHEDULE I Forms of Oath --- 17

SCHEDULE II Standing Orders of the General Assembly --- 19
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CHAPTER ONE

Article 1 – Name
The organisation shall be called Students’ Representative Council of the Ghana Institute of
Journalism, herein after referred to as SRC-GIJ.

Article 2 – Supremacy of the Constitution

a) This Constitution shall be subject to the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the
Laws of Ghana and the statute establishing the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
b) Notwithstanding Article 2 clause (a) of this Constitution, the constitution of all students,
clubs, organisations, associations an unions in the Ghana Institute of Journalism
(hereinafter referred to as GIJ) shall be subject to this Constitution, and any other
constitution found to be inconsistent with any provision of this Constitution shall, to
the extent of the inconsistency, be null and void.

Article 3 – Enforcement of the Constitution

1. A student who alleges that –
a) An enactment or anything contained in or done, under the authority of that or any
other enactment; or
b) Any act or omission of any student body, association, organisation or union;
is inconsistent with, or, is in contravention of a provision of this Constitution, may bring an
action in the Judicial Committee for a deliberation to that effect.
2. The Judicial Committee shall, for the purposes of a declaration under clause (1) of this
article make such orders and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for
giving effect, or enabling effect to be given, to the declaration so made.
3. Any student or group of students to whom an order or direction is addressed under
clause (2) of this article by the Judicial Committee, shall duly obey and carry out the
terms of the order or direction.
4. Failure to carry out the terms of an order or direction made or given under clause (2) of
this article constitutes contempt of the Judicial Committee, and shall, in case of the
President or Vice President or an Executive Committee, constitute a ground for removal
of office.

CHAPTER TWO

Article 4 – Aims and Objectives

1. The aims and objectives of the SRC shall include but not be limited to –
a) Seeking the welfare of all students in Ghana in general, and students of the Ghana
Institute of Journalism (hereinafter referred to as GIJ) in particular.
b) Effecting non-violent channels of communication between the entire student body
and the GIJ administration.
c) Serving as the mouthpiece of GIJ students.
d) Coordinating with other student organisations in Ghana and elsewhere in matters of
mutual interest.
e) Fostering good relations with students of other nations.
2. For the purposes of achieving these objectives, the SRC shall organise lectures,
symposia, seminars, debates, publications and such other activities as are necessary to
fulfil the aims and objectives in clause (1) of this article.
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 3. The SRC shall celebrate a week within the second semester of the academic year as
“SRC Week Celebrations” in consultation with the General Assembly and the Dean of
Students.

Article 5 – Composition
1. The SRC shall be composed of –
a) The Executive Committee
b) The General Assembly
c) The Judicial Committee
d) Hall Executives
e) Clubs and Society Executives
f) The general student body

CHAPTER THREE

Article 6 – The Executive Committee

1. There shall be an Executive Committee comprising –
a) The President
b) The Vice-President
c) The General Secretary
d) The Financial Secretary
e) The Organising Secretary
f) The Women’s Commissioner
g) The External Commissioner
2. The Executive Committee shall serve tenure of not more than one academic year.

Article 7 – Executive Committee Functions

1. The executive authority of the SRC shall vest in the President and shall be exercised in
accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
2. The executive authority of the SRC shall extend to the execution and maintenance of
this constitution and decisions made under or continued in force by this Constitution.
3. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the functions conferred on the President
by clause (1) of this article may be exercised by him either directly or through officers
subordinate to him.
4. The President shall –
a) Preside over all SRC Executive meetings
b) Present policy statements action plans to General Assembly at its first session every
semester.
c) Ensure efficient administration of SRC affairs
d) Be Commander-in-Chief of the GIJ SRC Cadet Force
e) Together with the General and Financial Secretaries, be signatory to SRC financial
accounts.
f) Direct and oversee the execution of SRC plans of action.
g) Acting in consultation with General Assembly, appoint –
i. The Speaker of General Assembly
ii. The Chief Justice
iii. The Electoral Commissioner
iv. The Deputy Electoral Commissioner
v. The Audit Commissioner
vi. The Attorney General 2
 h) Perform any other functions assigned by this Constitution, or General Assembly in
accordance with this Constitution.
5. The Vice-President –
a) In the absence of the President, perform all the functions conferred on the President
in article 7 (4) of this Constitution.
b) Shall assist the President in the performance of his duties.
6. The General Secretary shall –
a) Keep and maintain true and accurate records and minutes of all proceedings and
transactions of the Executive Committee and the general SRC.
b) Be responsible for all SRC correspondence.
c) Publish decisions of the Executive Committee at a forum not more than 48 hours
after such decision is made.
d) Together with the President and Financial Secretary, be signatory to all SRC
financial accounts.
e) Shall perform any other functions assigned by the President or the General
Assembly not inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.
7. The Financial Secretary shall –
a) Keep and maintain accurate records of all financial transactions and records of the
SRC.
b) Present financial statements to General Assembly for approval before execution of
any plan or action needing finance.
c) Prepare and present periodic statements on the income and expenditure of the SRC
at twice every semester.
d) Together with the President and General Secretary, be signatory to all SRC financial
accounts.
e) Shall be treasurer to the SRC Week Celebrations
f) Shall perform any other functions assigned by the President or the General
Assembly not inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.
8. The Organising Secretary shall –
a) Be responsible for organising and coordinating the meetings and programs of the
SRC.
b) Implement all Executive Committee decisions
c) Shall perform any other functions assigned by the President or General Assembly
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.
9. The Women’s Commission shall –
a) Seek to organise and coordinate matters affecting female students of GIJ.
b) Represent the interests of female GIJ students at Sessions of the National Union of
Ghana Students hereinafter referred to as “NUGS” and the Ghana Union of
Professional Studies hereinafter referred to as “GUPS”.
c) Organise Women’s Commission Week Celebrations once every second semester of
the academic year.
d) Preside over all meetings of the Women’s Commission.
e) Be a female student of GIJ; the office shall not be available for contest to male
students.
f) Shall perform any other functions assigned by the President or the General
Assembly not inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.
10. The External Commissioner shall –
a) Be Chairperson of the External Commission comprising one elected representative
of each class.
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 b) Be assisted by two appointees from the External Commission as Secretary and
Treasurer.
c) Act as local NUGS and GUPS President.
d) Together with the President, represent GIJ at NUGS and GUPS meetings.
e) Also represent NUGS and GUPS at Executive Committee Meetings.
f) Report matters of external concern to the President and General Assembly at least
twice every semester as and when such matters arise.
g) Shall perform any other functions assigned by the President or the General
Assembly not inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.

Article 8 – The Legal Aid Office

1. There shall be a Legal Aid Office constituted by the President in consultation with
General Assembly comprising –
a) The Attorney-General
b) The Defendant-General
c) Two paralegals; one for each
2. The Attorney-General shall –
a) Represent the Executive Committee before the Judicial Committee, or cause to
enter the defence of the Executive Committee as a whole against any action brought
before the Executive Committee, except in the case involving the President.
b) Ensure the SRC is efficiently represented in any civil or criminal matter brought
against the SRC in a court of Judicature in the Republic of Ghana.
c) Offer legal counsel to the Executive Committee, General Assembly and all other
Commissions established by executive instrument, on legal and constitutional
matters.
d) Shall perform any other functions assigned by the President or the General
Assembly not inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.
3. The Defendant-General shall –
a) Be appointed by General Assembly
b) Enter into the defence of any student or the entire student body in any action brought
against the individual against the individual student or the entire student body
before the Judicial Committee.
c) Be independent in principle of the Executive Committee but shall confer with the
President on the defence of students.
d) In consultation with the President and acting with the approval of General
Assembly, be assisted by a paralegal appointed by the President.
e) Instigate legal action before the Judicial Committee against any member of the
Executive Committee, who abuses the powers of his office, except in a case
involving the President and Vice President.
f) Shall chiefly defend this Constitution by ensuring that the Executive Committee
abides by its precept always.

Article 9 – Eligibility of Executive Officers

1. A student shall not be an Executive Officer unless he is nominated as a candidate for
election as a member of the Executive Committee by an Electoral Commission which
is –
a) Signed by himself
b) Signed by one student from each class in GIJ
c) Delivered to any member of the Electoral Commission on or before the day fixed
for the closing of nominations in relation to an Electoral Calendar published by the 4
 Electoral Commission, and pay such amount that shall be determined by the
Electoral Commission for such exercise.
2. The election of Executive Officers shall be by secret, popular ballot, and shall, subject
to the provisions of this Constitution, be conducted by constitutional instrument issued
by the Electoral Commission and held as so to be begin.
3. A student shall not be qualified to any executive office unless –
a) He has been admitted to GIJ and is a SRC member of good standing
b) He has considerable exposure and experience in GIJ SRC affairs.
c) He has served on the General Assembly or on any SRC committee for at least six
months.
d) He has been elected by a simple majority vote.
e) An instrument executed under the hands of the Electoral Commission under its seal
states that the student named is declared elected as an executive officer at the
election.
4. For the avoidance of doubt, both male and female students shall cast secret ballot to
elect a Women Commissioner.
5. A student shall not be qualified to an executive office if he –
a) Has been adjudged or otherwise declared to have misappropriated funds or
conducted himself in such a manner so as to cause depreciation in respect of loss or
otherwise, of property or cash entrusted to him; or
b) Has been found by any committee of enquiry to be incompetent to hold office or is
a person in respect of whom a commission of enquiry has found that while holding
office in any organisation, he has acquitted assets unlawfully, defrauded, misused
or abused his office or wilfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interest of his
organisation or students, such finding not having been set aside by appeal or judicial
review; or
c) Is known to have exhibited tendencies toward, but not limited to verbal, physical or
sexual violence, abuse of hard drugs and narcotics, alcohol over-indulgence and
disrespect to authority.
d) Has been removed from student office.
e) Has not settled at least fifty percent of his financial obligations to GIJ for the
semester of the elections.
f) Indulges in money laundering.

Article 10 – Challenging of Elections

1. The validity of any executive officer may be challenged by any student who shall
present a petition for that purpose to the Judicial Committee not exceeding duration of
forty-eight hours (48) hours after the declaration of provisional results in respect of
which petition is presented.
2. The finding of the Judicial Committee that the election of any executive officer is not
valid shall be without prejudice to any provision of this Constitution.
3. The Judicial Committee, without prejudice to any provision of this Constitution decides
on the validity of an electoral result within seven (7) days after a petition is presented
to the Judicial Committee.

Article 11 – Tenure of Office

1. A student elected as an Executive Officer shall –
a) Hold office for a term of one academic year only. 5
 b) Be handed over to by the incumbents within 14 days after the declaration of the
final results by the Electoral Commission, or, where such elections are challenged,
within five (5) days after such declaration by the Electoral Commission.
c) Cease to hold any other office within GIJ four months after assumption of executive
office.
d) In the case of death, resignation or removal of an incumbent from office, hold office
for the duration of the remainder of the tenure of the exiting officer.

CHAPTER FOUR

Article 12 – General Assembly

1. There shall be a General Assembly of the SRC, and which shall comprise –
a) The Speaker
b) The Deputy Speaker
c) The Clerk of General Assembly
d) One representative from each class
e) One other elected member of each class
f) Hall presidents
g) Club and society presidents
2. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the legislative power of the SRC shall
vest in General Assembly and shall be exercised in accordance with this Constitution.
3. The Speaker of General Assembly shall have no voting rights, except in cases where
there is a tie in votes cast, in which case he may cast veto.

Article 13 – General Assembly Functions

1. The General Assembly shall –
a) Approve all proposals of dues and levies on the student body by the Executive
Committee and Hall Executives. Any such dues approved shall be communicated
to the student body by a legislative instrument and copies be made available to the
perusal and knowledge of the Rector, Registrar and Dean of Students of GIJ.
b) Shall debate and subsequently approve Executive Committee programs before their
implementation.
c) Shall constitute itself into an Appointments Panel of not more than seven members
to vet all appointees of the Executive Committee and to present recommendations
to General Assembly.
d) Shall debate and approve the periodic financial statements of the Executive
Committee, and shall hold the Executive Committee in contempt if financial
transactions are made without prior approval of General Assembly.
e) Have power to summon any member of the Executive Committee other than the
President and the Vice President to answer questions on issues brought before it.
Such invitations shall be presented to the executive Officers 48 hours before the
General Assembly session is convened.
f) Shall perform any other functions assigned by the Speaker and approved by the
General Assembly not inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.
2. A representative of General Assembly shall, before taking his seat in General
Assembly, take and subscribe before the Speaker and in the presence of other members
of the General Assembly, the oath of allegiance and the oath a member of General
Assembly set out in the second schedule of this Constitution. 6
 3. A quorum of General Assembly, apart from the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the
Clerk of General Assembly shall consist of not less than two-thirds Representatives of
General Assembly.
4. A class shall no power to withdraw or remove any or all of its Representatives from
General Assembly unless such exercise is affected through a resolution properly passed
to that effect by the said class.
5. General Assembly shall have power to suspend a Representative upon stated
misbehaviour and lack of decorum, and the member so dismissed may appeal to the
Judicial Committee for redress.
6. A class shall elect a Representative to fill a vacancy created by clause (5) of this article
in a manner not inconsistent with the provision of this Constitution.

CHAPTER FIVE

Article 14 – Judicial Committee

1. Justice emanates from the student body and shall be administered in the name of the
SRC by the Judicial Committee which shall, to all intents and purposes, be independent
and subject only to this Constitution.
2. The Judicial Power of the SRC shall vest in the Judicial Committee. Neither the SRC
President nor General Assembly can have Judicial Power.
3. There shall be a Judicial Committee consisting of –
a) A Chief Justice, appointed by the President from among Judicial Committee
Justices in consultation with General Assembly.
b) One elected Justice from each class.
c) A Court Clerk appointed from among members of the Judicial Committee.
4. No student shall qualify to be a Justice of the Judicial Committee unless he is proven
to be of high character, integrity and proven political neutrality; and of the calibre and
person of an executive officer as detailed in Article 9, clause 5 of this Constitution.
5. In the exercise of its functions, the Judicial Committee shall not be subject to the control
or direction of any student or groups of students or authority.
6. Neither the Executive Committee, nor the General Assembly, nor any other person
whatsoever, shall interfere with the functioning of the Judicial Committee.
7. The Judicial Committee shall have jurisdiction –
a) In all matters relating to the enforcement or interpretation of this Constitution.
b) In all matters arising as to whether or not a resolution was made or a student or
authority has acted in excess of the Powers conferred on him or them by this
Constitution or any other provision made there under.
c) In all matters relating to elections under this Constitution.
d) Impeachment proceedings against any member of the Executive Committee.
e) Disputes of whatever nature involving students of GIJ.
8. For the purpose of determining a case or matter set within its jurisdiction, the Judicial
Committee shall power to do such things as shall be reasonably necessary to include
the issuing of the prerogative rights or orders of mandamus, certiorari, prohibition, quo
warrant, declaration and injunctions and issue directives for the purpose of enforcing
or securing the enforcement of its powers.

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9. Without prejudice to any provision of this Constitution, the decisions of the Judicial
Committee on matters of interpretation of this Constitution shall be final and
conclusive.
10. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Constitution, the Judicial Committee shall be
guided by the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, the Laws of Ghana, the
Legislative instrument establishing the Ghana Institute of Journalism, and the norms
and conventions of the SRC existing before the promulgation of this Constitution.
11. Except in impeachment proceedings, the Judicial Committee shall be duly constituted
for its work by not less than seven judges of the Judicial Committee.
12. The Chief Justice shall preside over all Judicial Committee sittings and in his absence,
a Justice nominated by the other justices shall preside.
13. In all matters, unless specifically provided to the contrary by a provision of this
Constitution the decisions of the judicial committee shall be by a simple majority of
votes cast.
14. The Judicial Committee shall be bound to give written reasons for its decisions, such
reasons published for the knowledge of the entire student body.
15. The Chief Justice and other Justices of the judicial committee shall hold office for one
academic year only.
16. Without prejudice to clause (15) of this article, the tenure of office of the Judicial
Committee shall expire 15 days after the declaration of results by the electoral
Commission.
17. Pursuant to clause (15) of this article, the exiting Justice of the Judicial Committee,
including the Chief Justice, shall hand over assets and properties of their office to the
new Justices on the sixteenth day after the final declaration of electoral results by the
Electoral Commission.
18. The Chief Justice and Justices of the Judicial Committee shall, before assuming office,
take and subscribe to the Judicial Oath as provided for in the First Schedule to this
Constitution and before General Assembly not later than 48 hours after the expiration
of the term of the exiting Chief Justice and other Justices.
19. A Justice of the Judicial Committee shall cease to hold office –
a) If he ceases to be the Chief Justice or a Justice of the Judicial Committee.
b) If he resigns by writing in a letter addressed to the President or, in this case, to the
Speaker of General Assembly, stating the reasons for his resignation and allowing
at least seven working days.
c) If he is unable to perform the functions of his office arising from infirmity of body
or mind; or
d) For stated misdemeanour and incompetence provided he has the right to appeal to
the Board of Appeal.
20. Without prejudice to any provision of this Constitution, an appeal shall lie as of right
from a judgement or order of the Judicial Committee to the Board of Appeal.

21. The Board of Appeal shall consist of –

a) The Registrar of GIJ
b) The Dean of Students or, in his absence, a representative
c) The Chief Justice, or in his absence, a Justice nominated by the Judicial Committee
d) The Attorney-General
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 e) The Defendant-General
f) A representative from each class
22. The Board of Appeal shall be duly constituted for its work by not less than seven
Appeal Judges who shall comprise –
a) The Registrar
b) The Dean of Students
c) The Chief Justice
d) The Attorney-General
e) The Defendant-General
f) 2 different class representatives
23. The Board of Appeal shall be presided over by the Registrar
24. The decisions of the Board of Appeals shall be by a simple majority and the reasons for
the decision must be written and published for the knowledge of the entire student body.
25. Any student body or group of students appearing before the Judicial Committee or the
Board of Appeal shall have a right to the counsel of the Legal Aid Office, or a counsel
of his choice.

CHAPTER SIX

Article 15 – Removal from Office

1. An Executive Officer, Representatives, Justice, or any member of (a)Committee(s) of
the SRC shall be removed from office if found in accordance with the provisions of this
article –
a) To have acted in violation of the Oath of Office set out in the Schedule annexed to
this Constitution or in violation of this Constitution.
b) To be incapable of performing the functions of his office by reason of infirmity of
mind or body.
c) To have embezzled funds or recklessly handled SRC finances in a manner as to
have caused financial loss to the SRC.
d) To be inefficient or negligent in the discharge of his duties
e) To have misconducted himself in a manner –
i. Which brings or is likely to bring the high office of the Executive Committee,
General Assembly, the Judicial Committee or the SRC into disrepute, ridicule
or contempt; or
ii. Prejudicial or inimical to the interests of students
2. Any such removal under this clause of the Constitution shall be made by the appointing
authority as designated by this Constitution, and, in the case of Executive Officers, shall
be through impeachment.

Article 16 – Impeachment
1. Any thirty (30) students duly representative of at least seven classes shall, by notice in
writing to the Chief Justice of the Judicial Committee, commence impeachment 9
 proceedings against any Executive Officer, provided the Officer be served with a copy
of the notice three (3) clear days before the start of impeachment proceedings.
2. The Chief Justice shall within five days of receipt of notice of impeachment, convene
a sitting of the Judicial Committee for a determination of the grounds for impeachment.
3. The ruling of the Judicial committee shall be communicated to Emergency Session of
the General Assembly called specifically for that purpose by the Speaker not more than
48 hours of receipt of the Judicial Committee ruling.
4. The ruling of the Judicial Committee shall be endorsed or otherwise by General
Assembly.
5. Any officer so impeached shall forthwith cease to be an officer of the Executive
Committee, General Assembly or Judicial Committee.

Article 17 – Vote of No Confidence

1. Without prejudice to article 15 of this constitution, any Executive Officer shall be
removed from office on the passing of a vote of no confidence by at least seven classes
at a special meeting called for that purpose provided that within seven (7) days, two-
thirds of General Assembly representatives move a motion whether or not the Executive
Officer be removed from office.
2. The resolution for the removal of any executive officer from office shall be by secret
ballot after prior debate in General Assembly.
3. The Chief Justice, the Judicial Committee and the Executive Officer in question shall
be served with copies of the written grounds for the passing of a vote of no confidence
supported by evidence.
4. The Judicial Committee shall endorse a vote of no confidence passed by General
Assembly or otherwise.
5. In the event of an Executive Officer being removed from office or resigning, the next
officer in pre-eminence shall act in the stead of the removed officer as well as until
fourteen (14) days when elections shall be conducted to fill the vacancy.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Article 18 – The Electoral Commission

1. There shall be an Electoral Commission which shall comprise elected representatives
from each class to the Commission.
2. The Electoral Commissioner and the Deputy Electoral Commissioner shall be
appointed by the President and from among commissioners on the vetting and approval
by General Assembly.
3. A student is not qualified to be appointed as Electoral or Deputy Commissioner unless
he is qualified to be elected an Executive Officer. 10
 4. The Electoral Commissioner shall serve tenure for one academic year.

Article 19 – Electoral Commission Functions

1. The Electoral Commission shall be responsible for conducting and supervising all SRC
elections.
2. No election shall be considered to have been held without the direct supervision and
endorsement of the Electoral Commission.
3. The Electoral Commission shall –
a) Compile a register of voters and revise it at such periods as may be determined by
new admissions into GIJ and graduations from GIJ.
b) Educate students on electoral process and its purpose.
c) Undertake programmes for the effective participation of all students in the electoral
process.
d) Perform such other functions as may be prescribed a resolution of General
Assembly not inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.
4. Except as provided in this Constitution or in any resolution of General Assembly not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, in the performance of its functions,
the Electoral Commission shall not be subject to the control and direction of anybody
or authority or student.
5. The Electoral Commission shall by constitutional instrument make rules and
regulations for the conduct of any election under this Constitution with the approval of
General Assembly.
6. The administrative expense of the Electoral Commission shall be charged to the
Students’ Fund.
7. In the performance of its functions, the Electoral Commission shall constitute itself into
a vetting committee which shall have power to disqualify any candidate in any election
under this Constitution.

Article 20 – Conduct of Elections

1. The Electoral Commission shall –
a) At the beginning of each academic year, supervise class elections of
Representatives to General Assembly and the Judicial Committee.
b) Conduct General SRC Elections within eight (8) to twelve (12) weeks after
reporting of the Second Semester of the academic year.
c) Ensure adequate Cadet security at General Elections.
d) At the beginning of polling, invite agents of candidates to observe the elections on
behalf of candidates.
e) Remove any polling agent who flouts electoral rules and regulations.
f) Disqualify any candidate who employs violence and/or money laundering to
intimidate or coerce voters before, during or after the General Elections, irrespective
of whether or not such candidate is represented on the ballot sheets, and shall
publish its decisions for the knowledge of students. 11
 2. A candidate aggrieved by the a decision of the Electoral Commission in respect of the
disqualification may appeal to the Judicial Committee within 24 hours after the
publishing of the decision of the Electoral Commission, and the Electoral Commission
shall give effect to the decision of the Judicial Committee.
3. Any candidate aggrieved by a decision of the Judicial Committee referred to in clause
(2) of this article may appeal to the Board of Appeal not more than 24 hours after the
publishing of the decision of the Judicial Committee, and the decision of the Board of
Appeal on the matter shall be final.
4. In case of a tie between candidates in a general election, the Electoral Commission shall
organise re-elections among all contestants of the office that had the tie, unless a
contestant has less than fifty percent (50%) of the votes of a candidate in the tie.
5. A general re-election shall be organised not more than seven (7) working days from the
issuance of the provisional results.
6. Immediately after the close of the poll, the Electoral Commissioner shall, in the
presence if the polling agents as are present, proceed to count at the polling centre, the
ballot papers and record votes cast in favour of each candidate or question.
7. The Electoral Commissioners and the polling agents, if any, shall then sign a declaration
stating –
a) The number of votes cast in favour of each candidate or question.
b) The date and time of completion of votes cast for each candidate.
And the Electoral or Deputy Commissioner shall there and then announce the
results of the voting as provisional results.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Article 21 – The Women’s Commission

1. There shall be a Women’s Commission which shall be charged with the responsibility
for –
a) Aiding female students in realising themselves as important contributing resources
to the advancement of the SRC.
b) Helping to prepare female students for leadership roles in the Executive Committee.
c) Inculcating in female students the right sense of inclusion, solidarity and active
participation in SRC activities.
2. The Women’s Commission shall consist of –
a) The Women’s Commissioner who shall preside over all affairs of the Commission.
b) An elected female representative of each class
3. For the avoidance of doubt, both, men and women shall have voting rights in respect of
electing a Women’s Commissioner.
4. The Women’s Commissioner shall, at the beginning of every semester, submit
proposals of activities to the Executive Committee and General Assembly for
consideration and approval.
5. The administrative expenses of the Women’s Commissioner shall be charged to the
Students’ Fund.
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Article 22 – General Assembly Committees
1. General Assembly, in consultation with the President, shall appoint standing
committees as may be needed for the effective running of the SRC.
2. The standing committees shall be appointed at the First Session of General Assembly
and charged with such functions assigned by this Constitution or a decision by General
Assembly not inconsistent with this Constitution.
3. Except as provided for by this Constitution, standing committees shall consist of
Representatives of General Assembly.
4. A committee appointed under this article shall have powers and privileges for –
a) Enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them under oath, affirmation
or otherwise.
b) Compelling the production of documents.
c) Issuing orders for the examination of witnesses external of GIJ but with import for
on-going investigations involving the SRC.

Article 23 – The Audit Committee

1. There shall be an Audit Committee which shall comprise three (3) Representatives
appointed from General Assembly by the President in consultation with General
Assembly.
2. The students so appointed in (1) shall be persons having a reasonable knowledge in
auditing and accounting.
3. The President shall appoint a Chairman from among the three Representatives of the
Audit Committee.
4. The Audit Committee shall have unrestricted access to all financial documents of the
SRC and all Halls for the period under consideration in line with its request to that
effect.
5. Any student who knowingly, recklessly or otherwise makes a written or verbal
statement to the Audit Committee conveying any information or explanation required
by the Committee or to which the Committee is entitled and which is misleading, false
or deceptive shall be liable to any sanctions approved by the Judicial Committee or
General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee.
6. The Defendant-General shall file motions of sanctions in the Judicial Committee
against any Executive Officer found to have been incriminated by the findings of the
Audit Committee in line with the provisions of this Constitution.
7. In performance of its functions, the Audit Committee shall –
a) Not be subject to the direction or control of any body or students.
b) Disallow any item of expenditure which is contrary to the provisions of this
Constitution or a resolution of General Assembly not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Constitution and surcharge that –
i. The amount of any expenditure disallowed, or
ii. The loss of ay amount as a result of incompetence on the part of the issuing
officer(s), or
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 iii. The deficiency caused by negligence or misconduct be charged upon the
authorising officer(s).
8. A person aggrieved by a disallowing or surcharge may appeal to the Judicial Committee
not more than 48 hours after the publishing of the Audit Report.
9. General Assembly may, by resolution, request the Registrar to withhold the results and
any awards of any student who fails to comply with the directions of this Constitution
in respect of the Audit Committee Report endorsed by the Judicial Committee and
General Assembly.
10. The administrative expenses of the Audit Committee shall be charged to Students’
Funds.

Article 24 – Procedure of Committees

1. Every committee of the General Assembly shall, subject to the provisions of this
Constitution, regulate its own procedure for its activities.

Article 25 – Finance and Organising Committees

1. The Financial and Organising Secretaries shall, in consultation with the President and
General Assembly, empanel Finance and Planning Committees respectively in order
for their work to be effectively carried out.
2. The Financial Committee shall comprise the Finance Secretary and four (4)
Representatives of General Assembly.
3. The Financial Secretary shall preside over the affairs of the Finance Committee.
4. The Planning Committee shall comprise the Organising Secretary and four (4)
Representatives of General Assembly.
5. The Organising Secretary shall preside over the affairs of the Planning Committee.
6. The Planning Committee shall supervise the execution of all Executive Committee
programs.

Article 26 – Finance
1. The SRC shall be financed by levies and dues charged to students and approved by
General Assembly at the beginning of every semester.
2. The Executive Committee shall deliberate with the School Authorities on what effective
finance system to implement.
3. The SRC shall further undertake activities aimed at creating economic opportunity for
the SRC in purchasing investment portfolios and engaging in economic ventures.
4. The SRC shall allocate twenty per centum (20%) of the Students’ Fund to Halls and
Clubs.

Article 27 – Halls, Clubs, Societies

1. All halls, clubs and societies shall exist under the recognition of the SRC. 14
 2. Clubs and societies shall be required to register with the General Secretary –
a) A copy of their constitutions
b) Membership lists
c) Plans of action for every academic year
3. There shall be a four-hall system comprising –
a) One all-male Hall
b) One all-female Hall
c) Two co-educational Halls
4. The four Halls respectively shall be named as follows –
a) Osagyefo Hall
b) Yaa Asantewaa Hall
c) Sutherland Hall
d) Mandela Hall
5. Each Hall shall have an Executive Committee comprising –
a) A Hall President
b) A Vice President
c) An Executive Secretary
d) A Financial Secretary
e) An Organising Secretary
6. Hall Executives shall, at the first and last General Assembly Sessions of every semester
be accountable to General Assembly through submission of reports.
7. General Assembly shall make no law enforcing the establishment of any club. Political
or religious organisation nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
8. The Executive Committee shall provide twenty percent (20%) of money from the
Students’ Fund to working clubs, halls and societies as subsidies for their
administrative costs every semester if hall and club programs are deemed to be
beneficial to the development of students and the society.
9. Clubs, Halls and Societies shall apply for concessions under this article to the
Executive Committee for consideration.

CHAPTER NINE

Article 28 – the 48th Army Engineer Regiment Cadet Force

1. There shall be an Army Cadet Force raised by the General Assembly which shall –
a) Ensure the effective and efficient administration of all arms of SRC government.
b) Advise the SRC on matters relating to security and strategy.
2. The President shall, in consultation with General Assembly and the Parent Company of
the Armed Forces, appoint a Commanding Officer (CO) of the GIJ SRC Cadet Force.
3. The power to commission officers in the Army Cadet Force shall be vested in the
President, in consultation with the Parent Company.
4. The administrative expenses of the Army Cadet Force shall be charged to the Students’
Fund.

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Article 29 – The GIJ Choir
1. There shall be a GIJ Choir set up by General Assembly which shall –
a) Be non-denominational
b) Be open to membership to all students
2. The administrative expenses of the GIJ Choir shall be charged to the Students’ Fund.

CHAPTER TEN

Article 30 – Suspension of the part(s) or whole of the Constitution

1. Any article(s), clause(s), or section(s) thereof in this Constitution may be suspended for
a specified period of time by the President in consultation with General Assembly and
the Judicial Committee.
2. The President, the Speaker of General Assembly and the Chief Justice shall draw up
transitional provisions for the period for which part(s) of the Constitution shall be
suspended, and a table for the restoration of the suspended part(s) of the Constitution.

Article 31 – Amendments
1. Any article(s), clause(s) or section(s) of this Constitution may be altered, deleted, added
to or otherwise amended at a General Assembly Session convened for that purpose,
provided a written notice to the Executive Committee, General Assembly and the
Judicial Committee is served seven (7) days prior to the Session.
2. Articles of this Constitution shall not be amended of the following provisions of this
Constitution, which shall, in this Constitution be referred to as “entrenched provisions”
–
a) the Constitution: articles 1, 2 and 3;
b) the Executive Committee: Chapter 3;
c) General Assembly: Chapter 4;
d) the Judicial Committee: Chapter 5;
e) Article 27 clause 7;
f) Article 31
3. A motion for the amendment of an entrenched position of this Constitution shall not be
proceeded with further unless it has been subjected to a referendum held in the Institute
and at least forty percent of students entitled to vote, voted at the referendum and at
least seventy-five percent of the students who voted cast their vote in passing the
motion.
4. Where the motion is approved at the referendum, General Assembly shall pass it, and
the President shall assent to it.
5. Any written notice of the Amendment shall be supported by at least five students from
each class whose signatures shall be appended to the motion.
6. The Speaker of General Assembly shall be obliged to convene the meeting for the
purpose.
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 7. General Assembly shall approve the motion for the amendment if the motion is found
–
a) Not to be inconsistent with the principles and provisions of this Constitution
b) Not to be of mischievous intent
8. The resolution for amendment shall be carried by two-thirds of the Representative
present and voting.
9. General Assembly shall make no law amending the contestation of the Presidency of
the SRC-GIJ in pairs, such contest continuing in force to mean that a Presidential
aspirant from the Bachelor of Arts program shall contest with a Vice-President aspirant
from the Diploma program, and vice versa.

SCHEDULE 1
FORMS OF OATHS
THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
I, ……………………………………………………., do in the name of the Almighty God
solemnly affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the SRC of GIJ as by this
Constitution established; that I will uphold the integrity of the SRC; and that I will preserve,
protect and defend the Constitution of the SRC. (So help me God.)

(To be sworn before the President, the Speaker of General Assembly, or the Chief Justice.)

THE PRESIDENTIAL OATH

I, ……………………………………………………., having been elected to the high office of
the President of the SRC of GIJ do (in the name of the Almighty God) solemnly affirm that I
will be faithful and true to the SRC of GIJ; that I will at all times preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution of the SRC of GIJ; and that I dedicate myself to the service and well-being of
the students of GIJ and to do right to all manner of persons.

I further solemnly affirm that should I at any time break this oath of office, I shall submit myself
to the Constitution of the SRC of GIJ and suffer the penalty for it. (So help me God.)

THE OATH OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT

I, ……………………………………………………., having been elected to the high office of
the President of the SRC of GIJ do (in the name of the Almighty God) solemnly affirm that I 17
will be faithful and true to the SRC of GIJ; that I will at all times preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution of the SRC of GIJ; and that I dedicate myself to the service and well-being of
the students of GIJ and to do right to all manner of persons.

I further solemnly affirm that should I at any time break this oath of office, I shall submit myself
to the Constitution of the SRC of GIJ and suffer the penalty for it. (So help me God.)

THE SPEAKER’S OATH

I, ……………………………………………………., do in (in the name of the Almighty God)
solemnly affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the SRC of GIJ; that I will at all
times preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the SRC of GIJ; and that I will faithfully
and conscientiously discharge my duties as Speaker of General Assembly; and that I will do
right to all manner of persons in accordance with the Constitution of the SRC of GIJ and the
conventions of General Assembly without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. (So help me
God).

(To be sworn before the Chief Justice and the General Assembly).

THE OATH OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF GENERAL ASSMEBLY

I, ……………………………………………………., having been elected as a Representative
of General Assembly do (in the name of the Almighty God) solemnly affirm that I will bear
true faith and allegiance to the SRC of GIJ; that I will at all times preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution of the SRC of GIJ; and that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge my
duties as a Representative of General Assembly. (So help me God.)

JUDICIAL OATH
I, ……………………………………………………., having been appointed (Chief Justice/a
Justice of the Judicial Committee) do (in the name of the Almighty God) solemnly affirm that
I will bear true faith and allegiance to the SRC of GIJ; that I will at all times preserve, protect
and defend the Constitution of the SRC of GIJ; and that I will faithfully and conscientiously
perform the functions of my office without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; and that I will
do right to all manner of persons in accordance with the Constitution of the SRC of GIJ. (So
help me God.)

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 THE EXECUTIVE OATH
I, ……………………………………………………., having been elected as
…...………………………………………. do in the name of the Almighty God solemnly
affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the SRC of GIJ as by this Constitution
established; that I will uphold the integrity of the SRC; and that I will preserve, protect and
defend the Constitution of the SRC. (So help me God.)

(To be sworn before the President, General Assembly, or the Chief Justice.)

SCHEDULE II
Standing Orders for General Assembly Sessions
1. Voting
a) The right to vote shall be exercised by Representatives only, and each
Representative shall be entitled to one vote only.
b) Voting rights shall extend to the right of Representatives to make and second
motions and nominations.
c) Motions shall be carried by a simple majority of Representatives voting unless
otherwise stated by this Constitution
d) The casting of votes shall be in the following order –
i. Votes in favour of the motion
ii. Votes in opposition to the motion
iii. Votes in abstention
e) The Speaker of General Assembly shall not exercise voting rights unless the number
of votes counted in favour of a motion is equal to the number of votes cast in
opposition to a motion, in which case the Speaker will cast his vote.
f) Representatives who vote in abstention shall be considered as non-voting.
g) Voting records shall be either of head-counts or by verbal expression of “aye-aye”
or “no-no”, and shall be subject to the discretion of the Speaker of General
Assembly.
2. Motions
a) All General Assembly Representatives shall have the right to file motions.
b) Observers shall not have the right to file motions unless at least three (3)
Representatives second such a motion.
c) Motions shall be verbal or written, shall be heard at all times, and shall be addressed
to the Speaker of General Assembly.
d) Without prejudice to clause (c) of this Standing Order, verbal motions shall be
subject to the discretion of the Speaker.
e) A motion shall not be open for debate unless –
i. It has been seconded.
ii. It concerns an approved subject on the agenda or approved by the House.
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 f) The proposer of a motion without a seconder shall have the right to speak for not
more than two (2) minutes in order to find a seconder, failure to find a seconder of
which the motion shall be expelled.
g) The mover of a motion shall be allowed three (3) minutes, and the seconder of a
motion shall be allowed two (2) minutes to make their submissions.
h) A motion once read shall not be withdrawn unless with the approval of the House.
i) A motion on the floor of the House shall not be suspended or ended unless with a
procedural motion moved in time during the debate, and approved by a majority of
Representatives voting.
j) Amendments to motions, contributions, proposals, etc. shall –
i. Not be moved which, by the Speaker’s ruling rescinds, negates or destroys the
original motion, contribution, etc.
ii. Not be moved until the one on the floor is disposed of.
iii. Not be moved which, by the Speaker’s judgment, is of mischievous intent or
likely to stall the effective deliberation of issues in the House.
3. Order of Precedence
a) The speaker of General Assembly shall allow procedural motions to be put in the
following order of precedence –
i. That the motion not now be put.
ii. That the motion be referred to a Committee of General Assembly.
iii. That the motion be expelled.
4. Interventions
a) Representatives shall have the right to intervene, object, inform or otherwise correct
any speaking Representative on any issue under debate on the floor of General
Assembly by employing –
i. The Point of Order, which shall have prominence over all other Intervention
signs on the floor of the House.
ii. The Point of Information, which shall be second to the Point of Order.
iii. The Point of Correction, which shall be the least prominent of Intervention
Signs on the floor of General Assembly.
b) The Speaker shall give ruling on all Intervention Signs admitted, and both the
speaking Representative and the interjector shall comply with the ruling of the
speaker.
c) The Speaker shall have the right to suspend interventions for a period not exceeding
fifteen (15) minutes if the House abuses its intervention rights.
5. Order at Session
a) The Speaker of General Assembly shall ensure order and decorum at Sessions at all
times by –
i. Ordering disorderly Representatives out of the House for a specified amount of
time not exceeding ten (10) minutes.
ii. Expelling violent Representatives from the House for that particular Session.
iii. Ordering the signing of bonds of good behaviour by consistent defaulters of
House conventions.

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 Drafted on the 31st day of March, 2008 by
Representatives Dziedzorm Kwaku Segbefia (BACS), on the Request of Rt
Hon. Samuel Owusu Afriyie, President (SRC-GIJ 2007/2008) and on the
request of The self-same Executive Committee in the wake of the dissolution of
the Judicial Review committee (2007/2008) by General Assembly.

Reviewed by the Constitution Review Committee (2008) comprising –

Representatives Kwasi Yirenkyi Boateng (BACS), Nana Owusu Agyemang Lot
(DCS)
Kojo Obuamah Botchway (DCS) & Nana Otu Towrac (BACS) –
And voted into force by the General Assembly on October 8, 2008 in the Year
of Our Lord under the auspices of Rt Hon. Dziedorm Kwaku Segbefia,
Speaker, General Assembly (2008).
Date of publication: October, 8 2008.

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