Students of the University of Guyana are calling for the resignation of the University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS) President, Ganesh Mahipaul, who they have accused of misappropriating $800,000 of the students’ fund.
Mahipaul had originally told Stabroek News that his actions did not amount to misappropriation since certain provisions of the UGSS Constitution enabled him to borrow the money as long as it was returned.
A few hours later, however, after allegedly consulting with his lawyer, the UGSS president called this newspaper and claimed instead that he was not aware of any misappropriation of funds.
Students of the university said that Mahipaul had held a meeting with four persons of the UGSS and it was at this meeting that it was confirmed that the funds were misappropriated.
Stabroek News understands that in February requests were made of the UGSS for funds to assist with the operations of other student associations on campus. The students suggested that the amounts be taken from the profits made from the UGSS sponsored “Campus Fete”, but were told that no funds could be given since no profit had been made from the event.
When Stabroek News caught up with Mahipaul yesterday, he refused to comment on both matters, saying that a statement would be released by the UGSS at a subsequent date.
Within a few hours of refusing to speak, Mahipaul called this newspaper saying that he had not released any information to the reporter who engaged him earlier in the day because no ID linking him to the newspaper was presented.
Mahipaul said that said someone he was acquainted with had approached him claiming to be an employee of the newspaper, but he refused to give any information since an identification badge was not presented.
Mahipaul made the claim despite the fact that he had openly spoken to the very reporter on a separate matter a few months earlier.
In February of this year, the UGSS President entertained a lengthy interview with the reporter to present the society’s posture as it related to “Operation Rescue UG.”
Mahipaul said that he was nevertheless willing to speak the reporter and left a telephone number for the reporter to call him. However, several calls to Mahipaul’s phone went unanswered.
