This warning comes after over 3,500 graduates from 22 unaccredited tertiary institutions were disqualified from participating in the 2025/2026 national service programme. According to the NSA, these institutions do not have valid accreditation from GTEC.

Speaking in an interview with Adom News, Mr. Gyamfi stressed that national service is strictly reserved for graduates of recognised and accredited institutions.

“We are not against any institution,” he said. “But the right thing must be done. If your school is not accredited by GTEC, there is no way you will be allowed to undertake national service.”

He clarified that the NSA is only enforcing existing policies and not introducing any new regulations.

“This is not something new we are implementing. This is how it has always been. We are only ensuring that the law is followed,” he explained.

Mr. Gyamfi also raised concerns about the growing number of institutions operating without proper authorisation.

“Some institutions just wake up and start operating without going through the proper accreditation process,” he stated. “Not every tertiary institution can just start a course or issue certificates without the approval of GTEC and other relevant bodies.”

He urged students and parents to verify the accreditation status of institutions with GTEC before enrolling, and encouraged school proprietors to comply with regulatory procedures when establishing and running tertiary institutions.

“We’re calling on school owners to follow the right processes. This crackdown is not just to enforce compliance but also to ensure quality and protect students’ futures,” he added.

The NSA’s move forms part of a broader effort to sanitise the education sector and safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s national service system.

ALSO READ:

• Gov’t suspends CMS for national service postings for forensic review

• 10,000 National Service Personnel to begin military training in August – NSA

The amnesty, according to CTVET, covers from 2000 till date.

The beneficiaries will also include students from 10 technical universities that were affiliated with the erstwhile National Board for Professional and Technician Examinations.

A statement by the Corporate Affairs Unit which announced the development indicated it follows the last meeting of the board.

The exercise, according to CTVET, will last for three years starting from 2022/2023 to the 2024/2025 academic year.

“We entreat all affected students to contact their various institutions for the detailed implementation modalities,” the statement urged.

ALSO READ:

• GIJ grants amnesty to students who failed to graduate since …

• Students loan defaulters start repaying as more names are published

The Board has also approved that with effect from the 2022/2023 academic year, students who gained admission to offer Diploma and other Higher National Diploma at various institutions affiliated to CTVET have up to eight years to satisfy all certification requirements.

Read the full statement below:

According to the Minister, the institutions must create access for such students through innovative programmes.

Dr Adutwum does not understand why the Education journey of students must be curtailed simply because they had a grade D7 in WASSCE.

Speaking at the swearing in and inauguration of Governing Councils of some public technical Universities, the Minister charged the schools to innovate and create access programmes for such students.

“Our gross tertiary enrollment ratio is 18.8%, South Korea is 73.6%, so no nation has been able to show transformation without hitting 40 to 50% tertiary enrollment ratio.

“Mauritius is 40%, you go there and everything is changing. Our 18% will not change Ghana and that is why the President has set an agenda of 40%, what it also means is that you have to start looking at your programmes, more diploma programmes so that students sitting home with D7 will find a place in your institution.

ALSO READ:

• Two busted over WASSCE fraud

• WAEC reschedules two WASSCE papers

“There are institutions that are saying we are not getting the numbers but what happened to supporting students offering courses in diploma, electrical engineering and after that you’re going to see the numbers going up and after that they can go to work. And then if they want to continue they can continue. So we shouldn’t see D7 as a barrier for students accessing tertiary.”

Currently, most public universities have set C6 as the least grade a student can get in the WASSCE to qualify for enrollment.

Whilst some have questioned this, much change has not been made to the requirement as many students have to rewrite such courses to be able to enroll in tertiary institutions.

According to Dr Adutwum, such students must have the opportunity to prove themselves.

According to Mr Ayariga, the House will request President Akufo-Addo to suspend the fees for continuing students as well as new entrants of public tertiary institutions.

He explains the suspension will be a part of the national COVID relief programmes being implemented by the government as the country continues to battle the covid-19 pandemic has had dire financial implications on students and parents.

The former Minister of Information, among other things, has urged the Speaker to treat his plea as a matter of urgency.

“The urgency of this matter is dictated by the fact that public tertiary institutions are reopening now and students who have been offered admission are requested to make payments before they are admitted.

ALSO READ:

• GO1 tag: I’ve never seen Mahama this angry – Mahama Ayariga

• I feel hunted by Martin Amidu – Mahama Ayariga

“They will lose the opportunity if they do not pay. Continuing students must also pay,” parts of the letter read.

Read the letter below:

Delivering his 21st national address on measures being taken against the spread of COVID-19 on Sunday January 3, 2021, the President said the decision to reopen all tertiary institutions follows “an extensive stakeholder consultations.”

Akufo-Addo assured stringent steps have been taken to ensure the safety of students, teaching and non-teaching staff.

Ahead of the reopening, he indicated a fumigation exercise in all institutions will commence from Monday, January 4, 2021.

He added that, schools with their own hospitals and clinics will also be equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPEs) and have isolation centres to deal with positive cases.

ALSO READ:

• Govt distributes PPEs, other materials to tertiary institutions ahead of reopening

• Second phase of disinfection exercise in tertiary institutions begins

Schools without their own hospitals and clinics have also been mapped to health facilities, adding there will be no mass gathering or sporting activities.

President Akufo-Addo urged all to continue with the strict adherence of the Covid-19 safety protocols.