University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) calls for immediate removal of top officials at Ghana Tertiary Education Commission over alleged overreach and governance failures, reveals February 17 petition to the Presidency.
However, nearly two months later, the association says it has yet to receive any acknowledgment, prompting the decision to make its demands public.
According to UTAG, the current posture of GTEC has shifted from facilitative regulation to what it termed a “command-and-control” approach, undermining academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and staff welfare across the tertiary education sector.
UTAG accused GTEC of systematically interfering in internal university governance, including overriding decisions of university governing councils and academic boards.
The association further alleged that the commission has imposed prior-approval requirements and assumed excessive discretionary powers, sometimes threatening to withdraw accreditation and funding as a means of enforcement.
The association also criticised what it described as abrupt policy changes, including the scrapping of established administrative roles across universities without adequate consultation.
A major point of contention is GTEC’s directives issued in September and October 2025 regarding post-retirement contracts and salary procedures.
UTAG rejected these directives, arguing that they contradict existing conditions of service and unlawfully shift approval authority from university councils to GTEC.
The association warned that the directives introduce uncertainty, create administrative bottlenecks, and risk worsening staffing challenges, thereby disrupting teaching, research, and mentorship in public universities.
University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) also raised concerns about what it described as unilateral changes to negotiated conditions of service, as well as delays in salary clearance and payments for some university staff.
It said such actions undermine collective bargaining processes and heighten the risk of industrial unrest.
The association pointed to what it called “systemic harm” caused by GTEC’s actions, including weakened governance structures and increased tensions within the sector.
It cited an incident involving the University of Cape Coast, where key services such as accreditation processing were temporarily withdrawn, as an example of how regulatory actions could create uncertainty for students and international partners.
UTAG warned that such developments could damage Ghana’s reputation in the global higher education space and affect external funding opportunities.
As part of its demands, UTAG is urging the President to:
Remove the Director-General and Deputy Director-General of GTEC
Fully operationalise the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023)
Withdraw the disputed 2025 directives and subject them to stakeholder consultation
Protect all existing post-retirement contracts
Include UTAG in ongoing regulatory reforms
Maintain current academic-year arrangements pending further consultations.
University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) emphasized its commitment to dialogue and reform but issued a 14-day ultimatum for its concerns to be addressed.
It warned that failure to act could lead to further consultations with its members and possible industrial action.
The association says its demands are aimed at restoring confidence in Ghana’s tertiary education system and ensuring that regulatory practices align with international standards of university governance.
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