The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a stern warning to all tertiary institutions operating in the country that continue to run accredited programmes at unaccredited centres will have its accreditation for those programmes revoked. This move comes as a direct response to the rising number of unaccredited centres being used by some of the country’s most respected universities, threatening the quality and integrity of higher education in Ghana.
Professor Abdulai Jinapor, Director-General of GTEC, explained that accredited programmes are institution-specific. These programmes, by law, are designed to be taught within approved environments, ensuring that they meet regulatory standards and provide quality education to students.
Therefore, any deviation from this model by running these programmes in unaccredited centres undermines the entire tertiary education system. The message from GTEC is clear, institutions that fail to comply will face serious consequences, including the revocation of their accreditation.This move is a crucial step toward restoring order and maintaining the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system. The existence of unaccredited centres poses a real threat to the value of tertiary education. When programmes are taught in substandard environments, the quality of the education students receive suffers.
Currently, GTEC has directed three major public universities to stop enrolling fresh students at 160 satellite centres that have been identified as unaccredited. These universities include; the University of Cape Coast (UCC), University for Development Studies (UDS) and University of Education, Winneba (UEW). The problem is particularly widespread at UCC, which has the highest number of unapproved centres at 91, followed by UEW with 48 centres and UDS with 21.
The challenge posed by these unaccredited centres is not just about the physical infrastructure, but also about academic integrity. It has come to light that some of these centres are admitting students who do not meet the minimum qualifications, especially under the guise of mature student admissions.
While the country’s education system makes provisions for mature students thus those with relevant work experience who may not possess standard academic qualifications; some institutions have exploited this pathway to admit individuals with no formal qualifications at all.
This distorts the purpose of the mature student admission policy, diluting the quality of students enrolled in these programmes and undermining the standards of tertiary education.
In response to this alarming trend, GTEC has moved quickly to impose stronger regulations. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with six universities, such as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Ghana (UG), University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), UCC, UEW and GIMPA.
The MoU specifically prohibits these institutions from using rented premises for their programmes, a practice that has contributed to the unchecked spread of unaccredited centres.
As part of the agreement, these universities will not be allowed to admit new students into these centres for the 2024/2025 academic year, and GTEC will conduct an audit to ensure that all enrolled students meet the necessary qualifications.
The growing number of unaccredited centres in recent years has created a dangerous precedent, one that threatens to dilute the value of higher education in the country.
It is important for all stakeholders in the education sector to take heed of GTEC’s directive. Universities must prioritize quality over convenience, ensuring that every programme they offer is delivered in an environment that supports academic excellence.
