The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a stern warning, declaring that all private universities lacking charter status or in the process of obtaining it must complete the necessary procedures by August 31 of this year, or face closure.
According to the Acting Director-General of GTEC, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, this decision aligns with the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), aimed at upholding standards and quality within Ghana’s tertiary education sector.
Speaking at the opening session of the ninth Association of West African Universities (AWAU) Conference 2024 and 11th Annual General Meeting at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Abdulai emphasized the importance of adhering to the charter requirements, stressing that non-compliant institutions will be compelled to shut down in accordance with the law.
The conference, themed “Promoting quality tertiary education in West Africa through collaboration, regional integration, and technology,” has convened key stakeholders from the tertiary education realm, including chancellors, vice-chancellors, registrars, and regulators from Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, and other West African nations. Their discussions aim to strategize on enhancing and standardizing quality education across the region.
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Prof. Abdulai disclosed that out of 310 tertiary education institutions documented by the Commission, 128 are private. Currently, the Commission has received 77 charter applications, with 43 institutions ready and 21 poised to obtain charter status within two years. However, some distressed institutions are being recommended for closure.
Highlighting the necessity of quality tertiary education, Prof. Abdulai stressed the importance of institutional collaboration, integration, and technological adoption.
Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, Vice Chancellor of UCC and Chairman of AWAU, urged universities in the sub-region to embrace technology to enhance the quality of higher education in response to the demands of the 21st century. He emphasized the pivotal role of technology in improving teaching, research, and community services, urging institutions to continuously enhance their academic environment and curriculum to remain competitive globally.