The Ghana Library Association (GLA) has defended the decision to appoint a college librarian as Acting Vice Principal of Dambai College of Education, rejecting concerns raised by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).
In a statement dated March 16, 2026, CETAG argued that the appointment of Dr. Fred Alpha Adams does not align with the Harmonised Statutes for Colleges of Education or guidelines from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
The group maintained that the Vice Principal position is an academic leadership role that should be occupied by a qualified member of the teaching staff within the approved academic rank structure.
In response, the GLA said these concerns are misguided, emphasizing that academic librarians play a vital and recognised role in higher education institutions.
“Academic librarians are highly qualified professionals with advanced degrees, including PhDs, and play a central role in teaching, research, and institutional administration,” the association said.
It further highlighted that librarians are formally recognised as academic staff under existing frameworks.
“Their classification as academic staff is affirmed by the Harmonised Statutes for Colleges of Education and practice in public universities, where librarians are recognised as academics,” the GLA added.
Addressing CETAG’s core argument, the association argued that the Vice Principal position is administrative and not reserved exclusively for teaching personnel.
“The Vice Principal position is administrative and not reserved exclusively for teaching staff,” the statement said, citing Article 195(3) of the Constitution and the Colleges of Education Act, 2012, which empower governing bodies to appoint based on “merit and competence.”
The GLA rejected claims that the decision undermines academic governance, pointing to historical precedents. It referenced the leadership of Stephen Adei at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, noting that individuals with strong administrative expertise have previously driven institutional transformation.
The association also challenged CETAG’s interpretation of academic staff, calling it inconsistent and exclusionary. “We urge CETAG to embrace inclusivity,” the GLA said, highlighting that the University Teachers Association of Ghana includes librarians within its membership.
The GLA called on the Minister of Education, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, and the National Council for Tertiary Education to reject CETAG’s demands and uphold the appointment, describing it as “a milestone for merit-based leadership and the recognition of academic librarians in higher education.”
