A senior lecturer at the Kumasi Technical University, Ernest Agyei, has stated that the recent hike in fees for some public universities is being driven largely by rising utility costs.
He noted electricity and water are essential for students and lecturers, hence any hike in utility tariffs will hit them hard.
Ernest Agyei expressed concerns about the constant hikes in electricity and water tariffs during an interview on Nhyira FM’s “Kroyi mu nsem” Show with Barima Kofi Dawson.
“Electricity and water bills haven’t come down, and the universities also rely on fuel to run its plant machinery,” he explained. “All of these factors are pushing the charges upward.”
When the host asked whether the government covers the public universities’ utility bills or not, Mr. Agyei said he was not in a position to comment, adding that he didn’t believe that the government paid those expenses for the institutions.
He remarks add to a growing concerns that fee hikes could place additional financial strain on learners and their families.
Meanwhile, Mr. Agyei has criticized the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) over its handling of the fees’ adjustment at some public universities.
He questioned the timing of GTEC’s intervention, noting that the commission appeared to wait until university managements announce the new charges before stepping in.
According to the senior lecturer, GTEC, as the regulatory authority overseeing tertiary education, ought to have engaged university administrations earlier in the process.
He also voiced worry that GTEC keeps taking its concerns to the press instead of sitting down with the proper stakeholders.
“The commission should have consulted the universities on the fee structure before any public notice was issued,” Agyei said.
He emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach, stating that “GTEC and university management need to discuss the fees and reach a common position before an official announcement is made.”
The lecturer called for clearer communication channels between GTEC and higher‑education institutions to ensure that policy decisions are both transparent and considerate of the broader educational landscape.
Nonetheless, he stressed that even with the increase, public university fees remain moderate.
Source: Francis Mensah
