Accra: Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) has appealed to the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to revoke the appointment of a Senior Assistant Librarian, Fred Alpha Adams, as Acting Vice Principal of Dambai College of Education, stating that the decision undermines academic governance rules.
According to Ghana Web, CETAG released a statement arguing that the appointment of Fred Alpha Adams is inconsistent with the Harmonised Statutes governing Colleges of Education and the post-migration guidelines issued by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). The association emphasized that the Vice Principal position is an academic leadership role that should be filled by a qualified academic staff member within the recognized academic progression ladder.
The statement highlighted that the appointment of a Senior Assistant Librarian as Acting Vice Principal contradicts Statute 12(2) of the Harmonised Statutes, the Harmonised Scheme of Service, the GTEC Post-Migration Guidelines, and established practices across Ghana's public universities. The association also noted that the vacancy occurred due to the expiration of the former Vice Principal's tenure in December 2025, which was predictable and not a 'casual vacancy'.
CETAG pointed out that the Harmonised Statutes require the Principal to nominate two academic Senior Staff A members when such a vacancy arises, with one being elected by convocation for appointment by the governing council. The appointment of Adams, a non-teaching staff member, contradicts GTEC's guidelines, which mandate that the Vice Principal position should be held by an academic at the professorial level or at least a senior lecturer if a professor is unavailable.
The union warned that allowing non-teaching staff to hold this position could undermine academic leadership in Colleges of Education and weaken the governance framework established following the institutions' migration to the university salary structure. CETAG also stated that the decision conflicts with governance standards in Ghana's public universities, where senior academic positions are reserved for academic staff members.
CETAG is urging the education minister to intervene and ensure compliance with the applicable statutes and regulatory guidelines. The association insists that the appointment cannot be sustained under the current instruments and calls for its revocation, advocating for a new process consistent with the governing statutes of educational colleges.