Haruna Investigate Complaints Against GTEC

The Ministry of Education has responded to mounting demand from the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) by establishing a three-member committee to investigate the association’s grievances and make recommendations to President John Dramani Mahama.

The move comes after UTAG held a press conference on Monday, April 13, during which it issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government over what it described as unresolved grievances within the tertiary education sector.

The statement announcing the committee was signed by Press Secretary Hashmin Mohammed on behalf of the Education Minister.

At the press conference, UTAG National President Vera Fiador called for the immediate withdrawal of GTEC circulars issued on 30 September and 1 October 2025, which affected the accreditation status of some institutions.

The association’s demands include the removal of GTEC Director-General, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, and his deputy, Prof. Augustine Ocloo, over what it describes as persistent governance concerns within the tertiary education sector

UTAG also criticised what it described as the government’s failure to respond to an earlier petition it had submitted.

Speaking at the press conference, UTAG National President Prof. Vera Ogeh Fiador criticised the Presidency for not acknowledging the petition, which was submitted on February 17, 2026.

“It has been almost two months since the submission of our petition, and we have yet to even receive an acknowledgement. At this point, we have no option but to believe that our petition was not processed for the attention of His Excellency the President, or that the President has just ignored our petition” Prof. Vera Ogeh Fiador

The association argues that GTEC’s actions go beyond its regulatory mandate, accusing it of issuing unilateral directives and interfering in decisions that should be handled by university councils and academic boards.

UTAG insists its demands are not an attack on regulation itself, but rather a call for a more consultative and balanced approach in managing Ghana’s tertiary education sector. “Internationally, regulators are expected to set minimum standards, not micromanage institutions… and operate through consultation, not fiat,” the association noted.

President of the University of Ghana chapter of UTAG, Jerry Joe Harrison, warned that the association could escalate its actions if the concerns are not addressed.

“We have several tools at our disposal, including withdrawing all services that we render to GTEC. Of course, to the extreme, industrial disharmony can be activated because if members of UTAG are not happy doing the jobs they are supposed to do, there is no point remaining in the classroom.”

The Committee

The three-member committee is chaired by Deputy Minister for Education, Clement Apaak.

He is joined by Professor K.T. Oduro, Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Education, and Professor Mahama Duweijua, Board Chairman of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

According to the Ministry, the committee’s mandate is to review UTAG’s allegations and all related matters and present recommendations to guide the government’s response.

The Ministry has also called on all stakeholders to extend their full cooperation to the committee as it undertakes its work, stressing its commitment to constructive dialogue and to resolving all outstanding issues in the best interest of tertiary education in Ghana.

The committee’s findings will be presented directly to President John Dramani Mahama, indicating that the government views the matter as serious enough to warrant presidential attention.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, stating: “We remain committed to constructive dialogue and to resolving all outstanding issues in the best interest of tertiary education in Ghana.”