Accra: Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the University Teachers Association of Ghana's (UTAG) call for the removal of the leadership of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission.
According to Ghana News Agency, the committee is chaired by Dr Clement Abass Apaak, Deputy Minister of Education, with Professor K.T. Oduro, Technical Advisor to the Minister, and Professor Mahama Duweijua, Board Chairman of GTEC, as members. A statement signed by Mr Hashmin Mohammed, Press Secretary to the Minister of Education, affirmed that the committee would make recommendations for submission to President John Dramani Mahama.
Professor Vera Ogeh Fiador, National President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana, on Monday, April 13, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the President to respond to a petition seeking the removal of the GTEC leadership. The petition called for the removal of Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of GTEC, and Professor Augustine Ocloo, Deputy Director-General, citing governance failures and regulatory overreach.
UTAG alleged that the current leadership had adopted a 'command and control' approach that undermined the autonomy of public universities and weakened academic freedom. The Ministry stated that it had taken note of the concerns raised and pledged to resolve the issues amicably.
The statement emphasized a commitment to constructive dialogue and resolving all outstanding issues in the best interest of tertiary education in Ghana. Furthermore, it appealed to all parties to cooperate fully with the committee.