The Supreme Constitution of The National Health Students Associstion of Ghana (Nahsag)

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NATIONAL HEALTH
THE SUPREME
CONSTITUTION
OF THE NATIONAL
HEALTH
STUDENTS’
ASSOCIATION OF
GHANA
(NAHSAG)
1
This watermark does not appear in the registered version - http://www.clicktoconvert.com
NATIONAL HEALTH
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENT PAGE
1. PREAMBLE 3
2. MISION STATEMENT 3
3. NAME/LOGO/ACRONYM 3
4. AIMS/ OBJECTIVES 4
5. MEMBERSHIP/COMPOSITION 4,5
6. EXECUTIVE BOARD 5-7
7. LIASONS/REPRESENTATIVES 8
8. SUPERVISORY COUNCIL 8
9. COMMITTEES 8-9
10. GENERAL ASSEMBLY 9
11. STANDING ORDERS 10-20
12. DOMESTIC RULES & REGULATIONS 21-27
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PREAMBLE
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In the name of God the supreme Being, we the Members of this Association herein
referred to as The National Health Students Association of Ghana “NAHSAG” wishes to
create a platform for all health students in Ghana, through collaboration and interfacing
with state and donor agencies in pursuance of National Health goals that ensures a
Healthy living for the mass of our people.
Desirous of fostering unflinching solidarity among health Students, health Professionals,

individual and all relevant Institutions, whose activities impact positively on the Health
of the good people of Ghana.
Having the conviction that a partnership between Health Students, and Health
Professionals will bring about a synergy of skills and knowledge which will have a
liberating effect on all Ghanaians.
Conscious of the fact that our noble ideals are realized when set out in a written
document, we the members of NAHSAG do hereby enact for ourselves this constitution
which shall be the basic and supreme law of the Association.
MISSION STATEMENT
“Our mission is to offer future Health Professionals in Ghana, a comprehensive

introduction to National Health issues and empower students in Ghanaian Health
Training Institutions, by using their Knowledge and other capabilities whiles at school for
the benefits of society.
ARTICLE 1
Name: The Association shall be known and called
“THE NATIONAL HEALTH STUDENTS ASSOCIATION OF GHANA”

Abbreviated (NAHSAG)
LOGO: (proposed for adoption)
MOTTO: UNITED FOR HEALTH
ARTICLE 2 (INTERPRETATION & EFFECT)
The provisions in this constitution shall be binding on the Association and its members.
All former constitutions, rules and regulations by which the Association was formerly
governed are hereby revoked and no longer effective.
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ARTICLE 3 (AIMS & OBJECTIVES)

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1. With the myriad of problems affecting the Health of Ghanaians, particularly the
youth, such an Association will provide an opportunity to involve the youth in
decision making, as well as the implementation process.
2. Inculcate the spirit of togetherness among the future Health Service personnel,
even while they are students
3. Create a means of channeling their collective views and give them s unified voice
in society.
4. To ensure that this group harmonizes the activities of the individual groups
5. To create public awareness, so that the public sees the relevant of their programs.
6. To create and fine tune the synergy of Health Students, The Ministry of Health,
Ghana Health Service and NGOs
7. To undertake public Health related projects
8. Organize annual congress to give expression to their Membership
9. To foster cooperation with international organizations on scientific and
educational programmes.
ARTICLE 4 (MEMBERSHIP)
The Members of the Association shall be
1. Full Members
2. Associate members
3. Friends of NAHSAG
4. Alumni Members
ARTICLE 5 (Subject to article (4) of this constitution)
a. A Full Member shall

i. Include Member Associations in good standing
ii. Enjoy full benefits of the association
iii. Have speaking and voting right at congress
b. Associate members
Shall be other student Associations whose activities have a bearing on health and
has been accorded Associate Membership stakes by NAHSAG.
c. Honorary Members
i. Subject to approval by the General Assembly, then Executive Board may
confer honorary Life Membership to an individual who has rendered
marked service to the Association.
ii. Honorary Life Membership shall be conferred subjected to 2/3 majority
vote at a General Assembly meeting
d. Friend of NAHSAG
Any person who wishes to support or advance the aims of NAHSAG both morally
and financially shall be a “Friend of NAHSAG”
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e. Alumni Member
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All alumni of Member Associations
ARTICLE 6 (COMPOSITION)
NAHSAG shall be composed of
a. Supervisory Council
b. General Assembly
c. Executive Board
d. Liaison/Representatives
e. Committees
ARTICLE 7
A. SUPERVISORY COUNCIL shall include

i. Prominent persons who have distinguished themselves in Health
ii. Well meaning persons who are committed to advancing the course of
Public of public Health in Ghana.
B. GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA)
i. Shall be the highest legislative body of the association and decisions taken
at the General Assembly shall be binding on all members.
ii. Shall be convened and held annually during the “congress” being the
meeting of NAHSAG
iii. Shall be convened as and when the executive Board deem emergent
iv. The General Assembly shall approve of honorary Life Membership status
reference article 5 clause C subsection(ii)
v. The program of the General Assembly shall be as stated in article 5 of the
standing orders
C. THE EXECUTIVE BOARD (EB)
a. Shall be made up of the following elected officers
i. President
ii. First vice President
iii. Second vice President
iv. General Secretary
v. Treasurer/ Financial secretary
vi. Coordinating secretary
b. General function of the Executive Board

i. The Executive Boar d is the body responsible for the day to day functions
of the National Health Students Association of Ghana (NAHSAG)
ii. The Executive Board in times of emergency shall have the power to
promptly and without prejudice to any provision of this constitution,
assume emergency power to contain the emergency situation,
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provided the General assembly shall be informed as soon as

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practicable, of use of such emergency powers.
iii. Changes in the Executive board of NAHSAG must be brought to
notification of the supervisory council and NAHSAG affiliate
institutions.
iv. The executive Board shall appoint the coordinating Secretary,
representatives to external affiliates, project coordinators and ad hoc
committee members.
v. Ad hoc committee reports shall be implemented upon consideration by the
Executive board
vi. Shall be responsible for the collation, review and publication of all reports
of NAHSAG in the Associations publications
vii. The Executive Board shall nominate deserving persons for honorary
Life Membership
viii. The Executive Board shall meet the committee of Presidents at least
once during their term of office
ix. The Executive Board shall convene at least one meeting with the
supervisory council during their term of office
x. The other Members of the Executive Board together with the treasure shall
develop and initiate fundraising activities
xi. The Executive Board shall organize a congress annually
ARTICLE 8 (FUNCTION OF EXECTIVE BOARD)
A. PRESIDENT
i. Presides over all assemblies and Executive Board meeting except congress
ii. Leads the Association’s delegate to all local and international meetings,
unless otherwise determined by the Executive Board
iii. Represent the Association at all meetings unless otherwise determined by
the Executive Board
iv. Shall convene the Executive Board and committee of Presidents meeting
v. Shall present the annual report of NAHSAG at congress
vi. Shall coordinate activities of the Executive Board
vii. Shall convene a joint executive and committee of Presidents meetings
ST
B. 1 VICE PRESIDENT
i. Shall assume the functions of the President when the President is unable
by reason of illness or other incapability to discharge his duties.
ii. Shall be responsible for the efficient working of the internal liaisons
iii. Shall update the executive Board on activities of NAHSAG Internal
Liaisons representatives to internal affiliates
iv. Shall contact every Member Association’s President individually at least
once a year ( such contacts with discussions shall be put on record)
v. Shall compile for the Executive Board a satisfactory survey on NAHSAG
from presidents of Member Associations twice yearly during the term of
office
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C. 2ND VICE PRESIDENT
i. Shall act as the President in the absence of the President and 1ST vice-
President
ii. Shall be responsible for the efficient working of NAHSAG representatives
to NAHSAG external affiliates
iii. Shall update the Executive Board on activities of all the various NAHSAG
representatives
iv. Shall together with the coordinating secretary and the General Secretary
develop NAHSAG publication/manuals
D. GENERAL SECRETARY
i. Shall act as President in the absence of the president, 1st vice president and
2nd vice president
ii. Shall be responsible for minutes of all executive Board meetings and congress
iii. Shall keep accurate records of proceedings of all Executive meetings and
congress
iv. Shall act with the 2nd vice president and the coordinating Secretary to develop
NAHSAG publication/manuals
v. Shall together with the coordinating Secretary organize all NAHSAG press
conference
E. TREASURE/FINANCIAL SECRETARY
i. Receive and collect all monies for the Association
ii. Keep an up to date and detailed account of the Association’s funds and in
this regards, act as an internal auditor
iii. Produce a quarterly summary of the account of the Association to the
Executive Board.
iv. Shall keep detailed records of dues from member Associations
v. Shall together with the Executive Board develop and initiate NAHSAG
fundraising activities
vi. Shall make available a signed and audited NAHSAG financial statement at
congress
F. COORDINATING SECRETARY
i. Shall be the administrative officer of NAHSAG
ii. Shall liaise between the supervisory council and the Executive Board of
NAHSAG
iii. Shall carry out functions approved by the Executive Board
iv. Shall assume the duties of the 1st vice president and or the 2nd vice
president in their absence
v. Shall together with the 2nd vice president and the General Secretary
develop NAHSAG publications/manuals
vi. Shall together with the General Secretary organize NAHSAG press
conferences
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ARTICLE 9 (LIAISONS/REPRESENTATIVES)
A. NAHSAG liaison shall be:

i. Internal liaison(I)
ii. Internal liaison (II)
Functions:
i. Internal liaison Officer (s) (I)

a. Shall liaise between NAHSAG and other Student Associations
b. Shall liaise between NAHSAG and their parent Associations
c. Shall report on their activities to the 1st vice president
ii. Internal liaison Officer (s) (II)

a. Shall liaise between NAHSAG and other Student Associations
b. Shall report on their activities to the 2nd vice president
B. NAHSAG representative
a. Shall liaise between NAHSAG and external affiliates of NAHSAG
b. Shall report on their activities to the 2nd vice president
ARTICLE 10 (SUPERVISOR COUNCIL)
a. Shall be an advisory body to the Executive Board of NAHSAG

b. Shall facilitate the activities/programs of NAHSAG
c. Shall meet Executive Board of NAHSAG at least once a year
d. Shall review and advice on NAHSAG reports
ARTICLE 11 (COMMITTEES)
There shall be standing committees which shall comprise;
a. Audit committee
b. Committee of Presidents (COP)
c. Ad hoc/special committees
A. Audit Committee
i. Shall audit accounts of the Association
ii. Shall present a final Audited report to be read out by the chief auditor at
congress
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B. Committee of Presidents (COP)
i. The committee of presidents shall be made up of all Member Associations
ii. The committee of presidents shall meet at least once during their term of
office
iii. The committee of presidents shall meet with the executive Board prior to
congress and deliberate on amendments and other issues on interest
regarding congress
iv. Members of the committee of presidents shall participate during congress
and not necessarily delegates
v. There shall be a chairman of the committee of presidents chosen from
amongst them who shall be the chairperson at congress
vi. Shall appoint members of the audit Committee at least two weeks before
annual congress.
C. Ad hoc/ special committees

All other Ad hoc committees shall be set upon by the Executive Board to deal
with specific issues.
ARTICLE 12 (GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA))
A. General
i. Shall be the highest legislative body, and decisions taken at a General
Assembly shall be binding on all member Associations
ii. The general assembly shall approve and grant honorary Life Membership
to deserving individuals
iii. The General Assembly shall be in public, unless the general Assembly
determines to the contrary
iv. Reports to be read include; annual report of presidents and financial
reports of the audit committee, and any other report of Ad hoc committee.
B. Motions
i. Any motion of the general Assembly shall not be valid unless at the time
of voting there are full members present who represents the privileges of
at least 1/3 of all full Members
ii. The general assembly shall have the power to remove any or all members
of the executive Board upon statutory behavior.
iii. The house shall approve of (I) above with a 2/3 majority excluding
abstentions
iv. With the exception of (ii) and article 13 B (ii) discussions of the General
Assembly shall pass by popular acclamations, or in case of voting, by
simple majority.
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ARTICLE 13 (MEETINGS/STANDING ORDERS)

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A. Constitution
i. The constitution shall be reviewed every two years by a constitutional
review committee (CRC) which shall be appointed by the Executive
Board, in this regard this document shall be reviewed two years from the
year of acceptance
B. Amendments
i. Amendments to bi- laws shall be done yearly at congress
ii. Any resolution to amend or repeal any part(s) of this constitution shall be
passed by 2/3 majority of all members of the National Associations at the
General Assembly ( excluding abstentions)
iii. Notice of proposed amendment shall reach the NAHSAG secretariat at
least two months before congress.
iv. The Executive Board through the General secretary shall notify the
Committee of Presidents one clear months (30days) prior to congress
v. All amendments shall be deemed to take effect immediately after voting
vi. Amendments to bi- laws shall be passed by simple majority
ARTICLE 14 (TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS)
i. The proposed constitution shall be adopted by the simple majority of member

institution Presidents who shall assume the role of COP and shall append
signatures and seals to the constitutional document to signify same.
ii. The Committee of Presidents shall nominate and elect Member to the executive
Board
iii. The members of the Executive Board shall be in office from June 2005 through
February 2007
iv. The above provisions are to enable the passage of the NAHSAG constitution and
facilitate the operation of same, pending a General Assembly of NAHSAG to
adopt the constitution without the transitional provisions, and elect new
officers to the executive Board at congress
v. The first congress of NAHSAG shall be held before February 2007.
STANDING ORDERS
ARTICLE 1 (CHAIRPERSON OF THE SESSION)
1. The Chairperson of the Committee of Presidents shall be the Chairperson of

congress
2. If the Chairperson wishes to take part in the discussion then, he/she shall hand the
chair to another President from among the COP
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ARTICLE 2 (ASSISTANCE)
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1. The General Secretary and the coordinating secretary shall assist the chairperson
in his/her duties, shall advice him/her on the interpretation of the constitution and
the standing orders, shall receive Motions from the Motions committee, present
them to the Chairperson and keep records of the proceedings
2. All other executives shall assist the Chairperson in his/her duties and provide
information to the GA in their official capacities
3. The General secretary shall appoint, at the beginning of the meeting, a Motions
Committee( (MC) to receive Motions, assist the General Assembly in preparing
Motions and ensure the smooth running of the GA
4. The General Assembly shall appoint the scrutinizers who may not be official
delegates from a voting Member Association or be on the Executive Board. The
scrutinizers shall examine and count vote and oversee the voting procedure.
ARTICLE 3 (PRIVILEGES)
1. Speaking privileges
a. All congress participants and persons giving assistance to the General
Assembly shall have speaking privileges during the GA
b. Speaking privileges shall include the right to address the GA, raise points
of information and points of order, but not to propose or second.
c. The Chairperson has the right to remove the speaking privilege form any
participant who is disrupting the GA.
2. Voting right
a. A full Member shall have privilege: each full member has one vote
b. Voting privileges shall include the right to propose and second motions
c. Full members are entitled to voting privileges during a GA session, only if
their official delegates are officially accredited and registered according to the
domestic rules and present at the roll call, at the beginning of the GA session.
d. Absence of the official delegate(s) during the roll call shall lead to the
suspension of voting privileges. If the absence is approved by the chairperson,
voting privileges may be returned before the next roll call, at the discretion of
the chairperson. Voting privileges shall not be returned if there is a motion on
the table.
e. A full member, who is unable to attend GA, may mandate another Full
member with speaking and voting privileges to vote on his behalf provided
that
i. Such a mandate is sent in writing to the General Secretary before
the opening of the GA.
ii. The mandate is signed by the President and NAHSAG liaison of a
full Member that is absent
iii. Such a mandate does not include the right to propose and second
Motions.
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Each full Member may represent by mandate, only one other full member. The mandate
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shall be overruled if a properly accredited official delegate from that organization arrives
at the congress.
ARTICLE 4 (VOTING ON MOTIONS)
1. Voting shall take place by showing of voting cards.

2. Voting cards shall be distributed after s full member present has been deemed
present at the role call at the beginning of each GA session.
3. Each member organization present and having voting rights must vote.
a. Voting by secret ballot shall be taken if requested by one official delegate this
request taking precedence over all other forms of voting
b. The Chairperson must specify the alternative that can be written on the ballot
paper
c. An individual ballot shall be considered spoilt if what is written on the ballot
paper is different to the alternative specified by the Chairperson.
4. A recount may be asked for by any official delegate or scrutinizer immediately
following the original vote. The official delegate must vote in the same way as
they did in the original vote.
5. No interruptions at all shall be allowed during the vote or during the counting.
ARTICLE 5 (conduct of the meeting)
1. Every speaker shall address himself/herself solely to the Chairperson. Every

speaker must state his/her name and organization or status before addressing the
GA
2. The chairperson shall equalize the time given to speeches for, speeches against
and speeches abstaining from all Motions
3. The debate must be limited to the subject being discussed and the Chairperson
should bring back to order any speaker failing to adhere to the subject under
discussion.
4. A “point of order” must be heard at all times except during the act of voting.
It must deal with the conduct of GA, transgression of the constitution or standing
Orders,
Or calling attention to the introduction of matters not relevant to the Motion under
discussion
A point of order is debatable.
When calling a point of order, a delegate may ask for a ruling from the
chairperson on any part of the constitution or Standing orders, provided that the
point is a relevant one
5. A “point of information” is one where information is asked for, asked from, or

given to the speaker. It must be heard at all times except during the act of voting.
A point of information must be relevant to the subject under discussion
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ARTICLE 6 (program of Business)

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1. The program of any meeting of the General assembly shall be drafted up by the
Executive Board. During the course of the meeting, the Chairperson shall
regulate sessions subject to any procedural Motion which the General Assembly
may adopt.
2. The business of the General Assembly shall be arranged as follows:
i. Opening of the meeting.
ii. Credentials report, roll call of delegates
iii. Appointment of chairperson
iv. Appointment of motions committee, scrutinizers
v. Adoption of Agenda
vi. Greetings to the meeting and apologies for absence
vii. Appointment of auditing Committee
viii. Adoption of the minutes of the previous General Assembly, with
Amendments if required
ix. Application for Membership and organizations losing their membership
x. To receive, and approved, adopt the annual report of
a. President
b. Treasurer/ financial Secretary (audit report)
c. Chairperson of information and education
d. Sub- committees and working groups.
xi. To receive, and if approved, adopt the
a. Audit committee report
b. Any other special committee report
xii. Motions to change the constitution, domestic rules and standing Orders
xiii. Future congresses
xiv. Any motion, shall be accorded such order of preference as may be decided
upon by the Executive Board in arranging the agenda
xv. To receive, and if approved, adopt the budget for the following year
xvi. To receive, and if approved, adopt the NAHSAG annual report
xvii.Appointment of subcommittees
xviii. Election of honorary Life Members
xix. Election of executive Board
xx. Any other Business
xxi. Closure of meeting
3. With the approval of the General Assembly, agenda items may be postponed
ARTICLE 7 (parliamentary activity)
1. Motions
a. All motions (except procedural motions) for the presentation to the General
assembly, must be submitted in writing to the Motions committee, and shall
be prefaced by the words “The xx General Assembly…..”
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b. The executives may propose Motions which need not be seconded. All other
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Motions must have a proposer and a seconder who cannot belong to the same
organization
c. Un-opposed Motions, accepting reports and application for membership of
NAHSAG do not need to have proposer and seconder. They shall be
precedent by the words “The xx General Assembly accept and adopts the
reports of the NAHSAG….” of “This xx General Assembly accepts….
(Organization) of …. (Member) as a…. (Liaison) of NAHSAG and welcomes
them to the Association.
d. Once the Motion is seconded, the proposer shall have the right to speak and
the Motion shall then be free for discussion.
e. Once the procedural Motion to close debate has passed, ca summing up
speech for, against and abstaining from the Motion may be given.
No new information may be given after the close of the debate.
f. If there is no discussion on the motion, the chairperson shall have the right to
call for a vote on the Motion, without first calling a procedural motion to close
discussion on the Motion.
g. Upon request from official delegate, the Chairperson may grant a short
intermission in the meeting (a recess) for a state of period. The purpose being
to discuss the Motion on the floor within one’s own delegates.
h. No further discussion on the Motion shall be heard after the recess.
i. A motion is withdrawn:
i. When the proposer is not present at that session of the General
Assembly
ii. With the consent of the proposer and the seconder.
Any Motion that is withdrawn, shall be open to the other delegates and executive
members to propose the same Motion, provided that is done immediately after
such withdrawal.
j. A motion previously voted upon during the current meeting, may be

reconsidered. A motion to reconsider (procedural Motion) can only originate
from an official delegate, who voted on the Motion in question or an
Executive Member.
k. In accordance with the Standing Orders, in coming Executives shall have the
right to propose a Motion to appoint a person to a vacant position.
2. Amendments
a. An amendment may be incorporated into a Motion immediately, with the
approval of the proposer and the seconder of that Motion. In all cases, the
amendment must be moved, seconded and discussed in accordance with
procedure for motions as outlined in the Standing orders
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b. An amendment to a Motion becomes the property of the proposer of the

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original Motion, provided that he/she accepts the Amendment
c. If the amendment is not accepted by the proposer of the original Motion, then
the amendment becomes the property of the proposer of the amendment. If the
amendment is passed, the Motion becomes the property of the proposer of the
Amendment.
3. Procedural Motions
Procedural Motions, unless otherwise stated below, must be moved, seconded and
discussed in accordance with the procedure for the Motions as outline in Article
7.1 of the standing orders.
No abstentions shall be considered when voting on procedural motions.

a. A motion to close the subject under discussion
Not amendable or debatable
b. A motion to reconsider a Motion
Debatable, but not amendable. If the Motion to reconsider is passed; the
original Motion may be re-debated and re-voted upon.
c. A motion for the adjustment of the meeting for a stated period.
Debatable, but not amendable. If the motion is carried, the meeting shall be
dissolved for the period so stated, and no vote shall be taken on any motion.
d. A motion that the subject under discussion “lie on the table”.
Debatable, but not amendable. If carried, discussion and voting on the
original Motion will be postponed to a later date. This allows the participants
discuss the Motion and gather more information if needed, outside the GA
e. Challenges to the Chairperson’s ruling
Not amendable, but debatable
f. A motion to censure on the Chairperson
g. A vote of “No confidence” in the Chairperson
h. A motion to suspend the Standing Orders in part or in whole
i. A motion to resume the Standing Orders in part or whole
j. A motion to extend or limit the duration of debates
Not amendable, but debatable.
k. A motion to vote on a Motion in parts
l. A motion to refer to Sub-Committee
m. A motion that the question be not put
Not amendable and not debatable
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ARTICLE 8 (election of member Organizations bidding to host a future congress of

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the federation)
1. Nominations
a. A member Association applying to host a NAHSAG congress shall be am
member of the Association for at least one year.
b. The General assembly shall elect members organizations which will host the
annual NAHSAG congress one year in advance
c. All member organizations applying to host a NAHSAG congress shall notify
the Executive Board of their intention to do so, at least two months prior to the
congress where the applications will be considered.
d. A meeting with the Member organizations applying to host the NAHSAG
congress shall be held with the Executive Committee prior to election of the
host.
e. Member organizations applying to host a NAHSAG congress with no delegate
present in the congress shall write justification for the representatives’ absence
together with the nomination.
2. Conducting of electing congress host
a. A roll call shall be taken before the beginning of election of the host of a
future congress
b. Doors shall be locked during the election procedure
c. Potential hosts shall present their bids in the order in which their applications
were received
d. The presentation by the potential hosts shall be limited to ten minutes
e. The potential hosts must be available to answer questions from participants of
the General Assembly concerning General aspects of the bid.
f. All questions asked to potential host must be asked to each applicant
g. Representatives from potential hosts shall be excluded from the election room
after the final question, until the completion of the voting procedure.
3. Voting procedure
a. Before proceeding to vote, an open discussion shall be held
b. All voting shall be carried out by secret ballot
c. If the representative of the potential host is also the official delegate, the
representative of the potential host shall mandate his/her vote to another full
member Organization till the completion of the voting process
d. Voting shall be by the names of the organization bidding to host congress by
registering a vote to “reopen nominations”
e. No interruption shall be allowed until the results are announced
f. A simple majority (50%+1) is required for the potential host be elected. If the
potential host does not receive a simple majority, the position for host of
NAHSAG congress remains vacant.
g. In the event of two potential hosts receiving the same number of votes, the
votes shall be repeated after a break. If both potential hosts then receive the
same votes again, the casting of votes shall be given to the Executive
Committee.
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In the event that a potential host in not found, it shall be up to the incoming
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Executive Committee to find a host.
ARTICLE 9 (election of member organization bidding to host a future NAHSAG

event)
1. Definition
“NAHSAG event” shall be understood as all activities (congress, symposia, fora,
and workshop.etc) approved by the NAHSAG General Assembly as a NAHSAG
event
2. Nominations
A member Association applying to host a NAHSAG event shall be a member of
the Association for at least one year.
The General Assembly shall elect Members organizations which will host the
annual NAHSAG event one year in advance
All Member organizations applying to host the event shall be held with the
executive Board prior to election of the host
Member organizations applying to host NAHSAG events with no delegates
present in congress, shall write a justification for the representative’s absence
together with the nomination from.
3. Conduct of electing event hosts

As stated in the article 8.2 of these standing Orders
4. Voting procedures
As stated in the article 8.3 of these Standing Orders
5. In the event that a potential host is not found, the Executive Board shall act
as stipulated in 7.2ii
ARTICLE 10 (election of Executives of the Federation)
1. Election Notification
a. Before elections, the General Secretary shall circulate, with the notice of the
meeting, and agenda and the credential forms for the General Assembly,
notifications that elections are to be held, and that nominations are required.
b. A meeting of potential candidates for the Executive Board shall be held in
order to explain what the office entails. This meeting shall be held before the
nominations are due.
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2. Nominations.
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a. All nominees must be Members of a NAHSAG Member organization or an
individual member and a student or recent graduate (alumni) as defined in this
constitution.
b. All nominees must have attended at least one previous General Assembly.
c. Nominations shall only be accepted on the official nomination forms.
d. Candidates shall nominate themselves for Executive Board positions and
approval by the member Association.
e. Properly completed and signed nomination forms must be placed in the hands
of the General Secretary (or when necessary, person appointed by the
Executive Board) not later than midnight of the second day preceding the
elections.
f. Candidates not present in the congress shall write a proper justification for the
absence together with the nomination form.
g. All nominations concerning elections candidates shall be displayed from the
day nomination closes.
h. No NMA shall present more than 2 candidates for an Executive Board
position
i. No NMA shall hold Executive position for two consecutive times
3. Conduct of Elections
i. Elections shall be carried out in the following order. President, vice President
1&2, General Secretary, Financial Sectary/treasurer.
ii. A roll call shall be taken before the beginning of the election procedure for
each EB position.
iii. Doors shall be locked during election procedure for each position
iv. Candidates for the same position shall be presented in the order in which their
nominations were received.
v. The candidate shall have the right to speak for him/herself, the speech being
limited to three minutes.
vi. Candidates must be available to answer questions from participants
concerning such office and duties of such office as stated in the domestic rules
vii. All questions must be asked to each candidate
viii. Candidates shall be excluded from the election room after the final question,
until completion of the voting procedure.
The procedural Motion that can be used during elections are procedural Motions
a, e, f and g ( standing Orders article 7)
4. Electing/ voting procedure

a. Before proceeding to vote an open discussion about the candidate may be held
b. All voting shall be carried out by secret ballot
c. If a candidate is the only official delegate from the organization, the candidate
must mandate his/her vote to another full Member organization. The full
Member organization shall receive its voting privileges back after the
completion of the voting procedure.
18
d. Voting shall be by the name of the candidate or by registering a vote to a

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“reopen nomination”
e. No interruptions shall be allowed until the results are announced
f. A recount may be requested by an official delegate or a scrutinizer after the
votes have been counted (this is NOT a re- vote!!!)
g. If only one nomination has been received for a particular office, the candidate
shall be elected upon receiving a majority (50%+1) of the votes cast. If the
candidate does not receive a majority, the office remains vacant.
h. If there are two candidates for the particular office, the candidate receiving
majority (50%+1) is elected. If neither candidate receives a majority, then
neither is elected and the office remains vacant.
i. If there are more than two candidates for a particular office, the candidate
receiving a majority of votes shall be deemed elected. If none of the
candidates receive a majority then;
a. There shall be consecutives ballots in which the candidate receiving
the least number of votes in each ballot shall be eliminated from the
list of candidates.
Ballots should be held consecutively until one candidate has received
a majority of votes.
b. In case there are two candidates simultaneously receiving the same
number of least votes, a ballot shall be taken between them as to
whom to be eliminated.
j. In the event of two candidates receiving the same of votes; the vote shall be
repeated after a break. If both candidates then receive the same votes again,
the casting vote shall made by a committee consisting of the outgoing
Executive Board (excluding any candidates in the election) and the newly
elected executive officers.
5. Filling Vacant Positions
a. In the event of any Executive office remaining vacant after the above election
procedure, nominations for those positions shall be accepted after a fifteen
minute break.
b. Any particular fulfilling article 10.2a of these Standing Orders may vacant
offices provided that he was not defeated for that position in the first round of
elections.
c. The election procedure for the second round of elections shall be detailed in
article 10.3 and 10.4 of these Standing orders.
d. It is only possible for the two different positions during one general
Assembly.
e. In the event of any Executive office remaining vacant after 10.5a to d, have
been compiled, the Executive Board, with due consideration of the
recommendation of the outgoing Executives, may appoint someone to the
position with the approval of the General Assembly under point xx of the
agenda.
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ARTICLE 11 (Election of Honorary Life Members of the Federation)
a. A nomination of honorary Life Members of the Association must be submitted in

writing to the Motions Committee on the official motions forms
b. These Motions shall have the same requirement as Motions discussed under
article 7 of these Standing Orders
c. Voting shall take place by secret ballot.
APPENDIX 1 (Voting by Correspondence)
In the event of there not being a General Assembly, it shall be within the power of the
Executive Board to take a vote by correspondence on any urgent issues.
Voting by correspondence shall be carried out in the following manner
1. By unanimous decision only, the Executive can ask all the full Member
Organizations to vote by correspondence
2. The General Secretary must circulate the Motion, and all relevant background
information, to all full Member organizations by registered post, fax email and
any available means to ensure that the Motions reach all the Members.
An official voting paper shall also be circulated
3. As soon as the Motion is received, the full Member Organization must notify the
General Secretary or the Coordinating Secretary.
4. The full Member organization shall return their vote, on the official voting paper
to reach the General Secretary by the deadline specified.
5. The vote shall only be counted if the votes of one third of all the full Member
organizations are received by the deadline.
6. The result of the count shall be interrupted according to the constitution
7. After the deadline, the General Secretary shall notify all members of the results,
and initiate any necessary action, within one month of the count.
20
DOMESTIC RULES & REGULATIONS (BYE LAWS)

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It shall have its regulations from articles in the NAHSAG constitution.
Regulation on Article 1
1.1 No persons or Associations or organizations shall use NAHSAG name, logo and
motto without prior approval from the Executive Board of NAHSAG
1.2 The official logo of NAHSAG can only be used by its officials
Regulation on Article 3 & 4
4.1 General
i. NAHSAG shall recognize its full Members as National Member Association

(NMA)
ii. A NMA shall be a representative National Health Students Association as from
any recognized Health Institution In Ghana.
iii. There shall be not more than one representative from a National Health Institution
running a similar course program except when their awarding qualifications are
either degree or diploma.
iv. In the case of 4.1 (iii) an NMA shall represent the National Health Student
Association from among diploma and degree programs.
4.2 Whenever an NMA fails to fulfill their status requirement as listed in the
regulations to obtain and maintain Membership, the Executive Board shall submit
a Motion for a possible change in status to the General assembly.
4.3 All Members are free to resign from NAHSAG six months after six months after
the General Secretary/EB has received a written notice signed by the President of
the Association. During this six months all debts and commitments shall be
fulfilled.
4.4 Full and Associate member must pay an annual Membership fee to NAHSAG.
The amount shall be determined by the GA at NAHSAG annual congress
4.5 Only full, Associate and COP members shall participate in NAHSAG activities.
Observers are permitted at NAHSAG meetings and events.
4.6 An NMA shall be of “good standing” if it owes no financial commitment of
NAHSAG
4.7 An NMA benefiting NAHSAG shall include
i. Speaking, proposing and voting rights at congress.
ii. Its Members shall be eligible to stand for election at congress
iii. Its Members shall be qualified for NAHSAG appointments into as hoc
committees and as liaison and NAHSAG representatives.
iv. Support from NAHSAG Executive Board for where possible for NMA
fund-raising and other assistance an NMA deem it fit from NAHSAG
v. Shall enjoy and participate in all NAHSAG projects
vi. Regulations to obtain and maintain Membership of NAHSAG
21
A. Full Membership
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i. To obtain and maintain full Membership, all Association must meet the
following requirement.
a. The NMA must represent Health Students from a recognized Health
Institution in the country ( Ghana)
b. NMA must have been in existence for at least 5 years prior to
application to be a NAHSAG NMA
c. Shall have included an activities report in its application
d. The applying Health Students Association for full Membership should
submit application to the General Secretary/EB six months before
congress in the year it wants full Membership
e. Congress shall upon consideration of 4.8 A(i) and (ii) grant full
Membership to deserving application
f. An NMA shall be suspended/loss Membership as in 4.2 deems to
suspend/lose NMA to here Membership two-thirds majority
g. Full Membership status shall be revoked if NMA has outstanding 2
years dues arrears
B. Associate Membership
To obtain and maintain Associate Membership, all Associations must meet the
following requirement.
a. Shall be other Student Association whose activities have a bearing on
Health
b. Shall apply six months before congress in the year it wants
Membership
c. All applications shall be sent to the General Secretary
d. They shall pay Membership fees which shall be determined by
congress
e. They shall have speaking and proposing rights at congress, but not
voting rights
f. They shall not be eligible for NAHSAG Executive Board, liaison and
representative positions.
C. Honorary Membership
a. Only persons can be honorary Life Members
b. The GA can elect Honorary Life Members at congress, the elections
are done by ballot and requires two-thirds majority. The status shall
be granted to persons who greatly contributed to the achievement and
aims of NAHSAG
c. Health Students cannot be elected as honorary Life Members. Alumni
cannot be considered for the same until 3 years after graduating
d. Shall pay no Membership fees.
e. Shall be invited to NAHSAG meetings and events
f. The GA can take away the honorary Membership from a person when
he/she has violated the constitution or bye- laws or when he has done
22
considerable harm to NAHSAG such a decision requires two-thirds

NATIONAL HEALTH
majority
D. Alumni Membership
a. Shall be alumni of member Association
b. Shall stand for EB elections up to two years upon graduation
c. Shall pay zero (0) Membership fees to NAHSAG
E. Friends of NAHSAG
a. Shall be a person
b. Should have supported or advanced the aims of NAHSAG both
morally and financially.
c. Would be conferred on deserving personalities at congress by two-
third majority.
Regulation on Article 6 and 7
7.1 Supervisory council (SC)
a. Shall be nominated by the Executive Board (EB) in consultation with the

Committee of Presidents (COP). Discussions to include any such persons into the
supervisory council should be by two-third majority votes of the EB
b. The EB shall have meetings once during their term of office
c. The SC Members should be supplied with annual activity report on NAHSAG by
the EB
d. They shall be accorded the observer status should Member attend NAHSAG
meetings or event
e. Shall be the source of explicit advice on all issues to the EB
f. Its Members shall have to sign an annual commitment fee to NAHSAG.
General Assembly Meeting (GA)
A. General
a. Meeting of the GA of NAHSAG shall be held during congress. NAHSAG
congresses may commence on Friday through to Sunday, and shall be held
once in a year
b. Congress shall be hosted by an NMA or otherwise determined by the EB
c. No NMA shall exceed 5 delegates to the GA. Alumni can participate
outside this quota as delegates of their NMA, provided that enough places
are available
d. The General program at congress shall be as follows:
Friday
i. Business meeting
23
Saturday
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i. Business meeting continue

ii. Voting
iii. Dinner
iv Departure
e. Congress shall be convened by the President of NAHSAG

B. Prior Congress Letters
a. Shall be sent to all NMAs
b. To Committee of President
c. Shall be sent to all observers
d. Associate Members
e. NAHSAG officials
f. NAHSAG affiliates
g. Honorary Life Members
These letters shall be stamped and signed by the NAHSAG President
C. Observers to congress
a. Supervisory Council
b. Delegates from organizations with official relationship
c. Invited guests
d. Any health Student in required Institution
D. Meetings
a. Chairperson
There shall be a chairperson of the COP chosen from among them, who shall be
the Chairperson at the congress
b. Secretary
Shall be the General as defined in article 8(d)
c. Delegates
Shall be a person nominated from each NMA in good standing to represent

his/her Member Association at congress.
d. Observers
As indicated in 7.2(c)
E. Procedure at meetings ( As per Standing Orders)

a. Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote
b. Voting privileges shall include the right of delegates to make or second a
Motion
c. All Motions must have a proposer and a seconder
24
d. The proposer shall have a right to explain his Motion before the Motion is
NATIONAL HEALTH
seconded
e. The Motion shall be opened to discussion
f. The mover and the seconder of a substantive Motion shall have the right to
Amendment and if accepted, shall be part of the substantive Motion
g. A rejected Amendment shall be put to the house at the insistence of the
mover of the Amendment
h. No other Amendment shall be discussed until that other consideration has
been dealt with
i. The debate must dealt with the subject being discussed
j. The chairperson shall bring back to order, any speaker failing to adhere to
the subject under discussion
k. A point of order must be heard at all times during delibration, except during
the act of voting. It must deal with the conduct of procedure of meeting and
concern only indecorum transgression, standing orders, and call attention to
the introduction of matters not pertaining to the subject under consideration.
l. In the event of any delegate using the point of order to make statement,
which are not directly related to defined concern, he/she shall be called to
order by the Chairperson, in the event of any delegate being warned on two
occasions during a GA meeting, he/she shall personally lose the right to use
the point of order during the meeting
m. A point of information is one where the information if asked for, from or
given to a speaker. The information is desired of the person holding the
floor, he may decide whether or not he wishes to be interrupted at that time.
n. In the event of delegate using a point of information to make statements that
are not directly related to the defined concerns of it, he/she shall be called to
order by the chairperson. In the event of delegate being so warned on two
occasions during GA meeting, he/she shall personally lose the right to use
the point of information for the rest of the meeting.
o. The chairperson shall equalize the time for discussion for and against all
motion except the majority of delegate decide the contrary. At anytime, a
delegate may ask for a ruling from the chair on any point of the constitution
or bye- laws provided that the point is relevant and this direction shall be
asked for and given on a point of order.
p. In the debate of any question, each delegate shall have a right to speak
except that a member who has already spoke on a question cannot make a
second speech on the same question so long as a member who has not
spoken desires the floor
q. Every speaker shall address him/herself solely to the chairperson. If two or
more members rise to speak at the same time, precedence shall be given to
him who first catches the attention of the chairperson
r. A motion can be submitted at all during the sitting of the house.
25
F. Voting
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Instate that:
i. Majorities will be defined as
a. A simple majority- more votes in favour than against. Abstentions do not count
b. Two-thirds majority- the number of votes in favour is at least the double of the
number against. Abstentions do not count
ii. The chairperson will call the delegation with voting right and ask for their votes.
When called the delegation has to clearly show its voting card.
G. Roll call and voting cards

a. The official voting cards will be produced on bright paper indicating the
delegates NMA
b. At the start of the GA meeting, the chair must do a roll call ; all delegates with
voting right will be called to see if they are present. Official voting card will be
handed over to the delegates who are present, the results of the roll call will be
recorded and in cooperated into minutes
c. If any delegate subsequently joins or leaves the session, they have to inform the
chair who will hand out or take back the voting card
d. Delegates who fail to return their voting cards before leaving the session lose
their voting rights for the rest of the meeting.
H. Election ( as per standing orders)
Regulations
A. Executive Board
a. The EB shall meet at least five times during their term of office.
b. The quorum for an EB meeting is the total number of EB members minus three
c. All EB members have one vote at EB meeting with the exception of the
coordinating secretary
d. The EB shall take decisions with a simple majority
B. Liaisons
a. Except for the internal liaison(s), all other liaison and NAHSAG
representatives shall be appointed by the EB
b. Internal liaison(s) shall be appointed by their respective NMAs
c. NMAs represented on the EB shall not be eligible for NAHSAG
representative position
Definitions
1. Financial Statement
26
Shall include the profit and loss account of NAHSAG, balance sheet and
NATIONAL HEALTH
credited/debted schedules
2. NAHSAG account
NAHSAG shall open an account with a reputable bank with the President,
Treasurer/Financial Secretary and General Secretary being signatories to the
account.
3. Parent Association
The corresponding professional bodies/Association of an NMA
4. Local/ External Affiliates
Local affiliates: official relations between NAHSAG and local agencies
External affiliates: official relations between NAHSAG and international agencies
5. Good Standing
An NMA in which has paid up all dues fully and conformed to all other regulations
27

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6. EXECUTIVE BOARD 5-7

10. GENERAL ASSEMBLY 9

11. STANDING ORDERS 10-20

12. DOMESTIC RULES & REGULATIONS 21-27

Desirous of fostering unflinching solidarity among health Students, health Professionals,

“Our mission is to offer future Health Professionals in Ghana, a comprehensive

Name: The Association shall be known and called

“THE NATIONAL HEALTH STUDENTS ASSOCIATION OF GHANA”

LOGO: (proposed for adoption)

MOTTO: UNITED FOR HEALTH

ARTICLE 2 (INTERPRETATION & EFFECT)

ARTICLE 3 (AIMS & OBJECTIVES)

The Members of the Association shall be

ARTICLE 5 (Subject to article (4) of this constitution)

a. A Full Member shall

NAHSAG shall be composed of

A. SUPERVISORY COUNCIL shall include

b. General function of the Executive Board

provided the General assembly shall be informed as soon as

ARTICLE 8 (FUNCTION OF EXECTIVE BOARD)

A. NAHSAG liaison shall be:

i. Internal liaison Officer (s) (I)

ii. Internal liaison Officer (s) (II)

ARTICLE 10 (SUPERVISOR COUNCIL)

a. Shall be an advisory body to the Executive Board of NAHSAG

There shall be standing committees which shall comprise;

C. Ad hoc/ special committees

ARTICLE 12 (GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA))

ARTICLE 13 (MEETINGS/STANDING ORDERS)

ARTICLE 14 (TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS)

i. The proposed constitution shall be adopted by the simple majority of member

ARTICLE 1 (CHAIRPERSON OF THE SESSION)

1. The Chairperson of the Committee of Presidents shall be the Chairperson of

ARTICLE 4 (VOTING ON MOTIONS)

1. Voting shall take place by showing of voting cards.

ARTICLE 5 (conduct of the meeting)

1. Every speaker shall address himself/herself solely to the Chairperson. Every

A point of order is debatable.

5. A “point of information” is one where information is asked for, asked from, or

ARTICLE 6 (program of Business)

ARTICLE 7 (parliamentary activity)

No new information may be given after the close of the debate.

j. A motion previously voted upon during the current meeting, may be

b. An amendment to a Motion becomes the property of the proposer of the

No abstentions shall be considered when voting on procedural motions.

ARTICLE 8 (election of member Organizations bidding to host a future congress of

ARTICLE 9 (election of member organization bidding to host a future NAHSAG

3. Conduct of electing event hosts

ARTICLE 10 (election of Executives of the Federation)

4. Electing/ voting procedure

d. Voting shall be by the name of the candidate or by registering a vote to a

ARTICLE 11 (Election of Honorary Life Members of the Federation)

a. A nomination of honorary Life Members of the Association must be submitted in

APPENDIX 1 (Voting by Correspondence)

Voting by correspondence shall be carried out in the following manner

DOMESTIC RULES & REGULATIONS (BYE LAWS)

Regulation on Article 3 & 4

i. NAHSAG shall recognize its full Members as National Member Association

considerable harm to NAHSAG such a decision requires two-thirds

Regulation on Article 6 and 7

7.1 Supervisory council (SC)