Accra: Kwami Alorvi's piece lays bare what many within the education sector have been whispering for months: the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), under Prof. Ahmed Jinapor, is on a marauding track, and those with the power to stop it are shockingly watching in silence.
According to Ghana Web, the actions of GTEC have sparked significant concern and discussion. The regulatory body, which is supposed to ensure the smooth functioning of tertiary education in Ghana, has instead been accused of operating in a disruptive manner. Issues have arisen due to GTEC's issuance of directives that clash with other agencies, lack of consultation, and the confusion it has created among ordinary Ghanaians. This has led to a destabilizing effect on the education sector.
A pattern of questionable actions by GTEC has been highlighted. One such incident involves the targeting of credentials following a change in political power. Alorvi questions the timing of GTEC's zeal to 'verify' PhDs and professorial titles, pointing out that this scrutiny began only after the NPP's tenure ended on 7 January 2025, suggesting political motivations under the guise of regulatory actions.
The situation further escalated with the University of Cape Coast (UCC) episode, where GTEC's threat to close the university over an internal leadership transition drew criticism. It was seen as an act of aggression rather than a measure to uphold standards, causing embarrassment to both the educational sector and the Minister of Education.
A recent controversy involved the Ghana Education Service (GES) recruitment process. GTEC's circular dated 9 April 2025, which was backdated and released on social media shortly after GES announced recruitment, contradicted GES's established eligibility criteria. This unilateral move led to confusion and was perceived as GTEC encroaching on GES's responsibilities, affecting unemployed graduates.
The lack of clarity from GTEC on the submission of certificates and the universities involved has left applicants in the dark. Questions remain unanswered regarding the evaluation process, especially since GTEC accredits the programmes and institutions issuing these certificates. This situation raises doubts about GTEC's trust in its own accreditation processes.
A troubling aspect noted by the public is the pattern of controversial directives being signed by Prof. Augustine Ocloo, GTEC's Deputy Director-General, rather than Prof. Ahmed Jinapor. This has led to speculations about the true source of these directives and calls for accountability from Prof. Jinapor.
The silence from higher authorities, including the Minister of Education, the Chief of Staff, and the Presidency, has been criticized. The public confusion and embarrassment caused by GTEC's actions are evident, prompting questions about why there has been no intervention.
The article emphasizes the need for the Minister of Education to publicly address these issues and clarify the roles of GTEC and other agencies. It calls for the withdrawal of GTEC's 9 April letter and asserts that GES recruitment should proceed based on its guidelines.
The piece concludes by urging Prof. Jinapor to take responsibility for his actions and emphasizes the need for government agencies to work in harmony. It highlights the critical role of coordination in the Ministry of Education and the need to provide graduates with job opportunities rather than additional hurdles.