The University of Ghana branch of the University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG) has accused the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) of overstepping its regulatory mandate through a recruitment exercise for teaching faculty at public higher education institutions.
UTAG-UG said the recruitment initiative, advertised by GTEC on its website, poses a threat to academic freedom and the institutional autonomy of public universities.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the association said GTEC had invited applications from teaching faculty with terminal degrees for positions at institutions including the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS), Technical Universities and Colleges of Education.
The association expressed concern that applicants are being directed to submit their applications, CVs and certificates directly to GTEC, describing the arrangement as an unprecedented intrusion into the governance of public higher education institutions.
According to UTAG-UG, allowing the regulator to recruit academic staff for individual institutions could create opportunities for political interference, including the appointment of individuals perceived to be aligned with the government.
The association warned that such appointments could undermine institutional accountability and the independence required by universities to effectively carry out their teaching and research mandates.
UTAG-UG further argued that GTEC lacks the subject-specific expertise required to determine the most suitable candidates for specialised academic positions.
It accused the Commission’s current leadership of attempting to expand its control over public universities beyond its regulatory responsibilities.
The association also criticised GTEC for what it described as a failure to address pressing conditions affecting university lecturers, including unpaid Book and Research Allowance (BRA) for 2026 and outstanding promotion arrears.
UTAG-UG warned that tensions on university campuses were escalating over the outstanding payments, with industrial action being actively considered.
The association said the faculty recruitment initiative appeared to continue what it described as a pattern of attempts to increase GTEC’s control over public universities, likening it to provisions contained in the previously rejected Public Universities Bill.
UTAG-UG therefore called on the government to intervene and direct GTEC to respect the autonomy of public higher education institutions.
The association maintained that universities have their own governance structures and the capacity to identify and appoint qualified academic staff.
It warned that any attempt by GTEC to extend its regulatory role into the micromanagement of public higher education institutions would be strongly resisted.
Read the statement below:
READ ALSO:
UTAG-KNUST votes to retain existing election system for Pro-Vice Chancellors and Deans
KNUST statutes review sparks tensions as some UTAG members threaten strike
