The University of Cape Coast (UCC) chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has urged the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to respect university autonomy and focus on its legally defined responsibilities.
The association acknowledged GTEC’s important role in regulating tertiary education but accused the Commission of overstepping its mandate, undermining academic freedom and disrupting university operations.
The concerns were raised at the UTAG Experts’ Forum 2026, held under the theme: “Rethinking Autonomy, Power and Oversight: GTEC’s Regulatory Authority and the Politics of Academic Freedom in Ghanaian Universities.”
Professor Philip Ebow Bondzi-Simpson, a senior member of UCC’s Faculty of Law, argued that GTEC’s responsibilities extended beyond regulation to advising, coordinating and accrediting tertiary institutions.
He said the Commission needed to perform these functions effectively rather than interfere in matters outside its legal authority.
Prof. Bondzi-Simpson stressed that the Director-General and staff of GTEC must operate within the powers granted by law and implement decisions made by the Commission’s governing council.
“The mandate must always precede the assertion of authority, and if that is not done, the exercise by the director general or a deputy director general or any director or staff on his behalf is ultra vires,” he added.
He also questioned GTEC’s membership on university councils, arguing that it could create a conflict of interest because the Commission would participate in university decisions and later regulate the same institutions.
“A referee cannot choose the coach and the players and the captain or the general captain and then come and referee the game. So the letter of the law does not allow it. The spirit of the law does not allow it,” he stressed.
He called for stronger cooperation between GTEC and tertiary institutions, suggesting that greater emphasis on the Commission’s advisory, coordinating and accreditation roles could improve its relationship with universities.
The Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto, also called on GTEC to respect university autonomy while ensuring accountability and maintaining academic standards.
He urged universities to exercise their independence responsibly through sound governance, ethical conduct and institutional integrity.
“Our goal should not be to weaken GTEC or diminish the authority of universities. Rather, we should build a relationship of constructive engagement in which regulatory authorities and universities understand their respective mandates and work collaboratively towards excellence in higher education,” he stressed.
Dr. Cynthia Sena Kpeglo-Freiku, Executive Secretary of Vice Chancellors Ghana (VCG), expressed concern about regulatory directives affecting staff appointments, university structures, retirement arrangements and academic programme development.
She said excessive interference could delay recruitment, create teaching gaps, increase administrative costs and disrupt academic delivery.
Dr. Kpeglo-Freiku called for a review of overlapping legal mandates, consultations with affected institutions, transparent regulatory procedures and a permanent mechanism for dialogue and dispute resolution.
“Strong universities require effective regulation. Effective regulation requires institutional trust, and institutional trust requires accountability on both sides,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Prof. Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, Regional Director of the African Coalition for Academic Freedom, called for GTEC’s regulatory powers to be assessed against the Constitution.
He proposed that government, academic unions and student representatives jointly develop regulatory instruments through broad consultations.
He also called for a review of GTEC’s governing board to ensure balanced representation and reduce excessive executive influence.
UTAG-UCC President, Prof. Jerry Opoku Ansah, said the annual forum provided a platform for discussing important issues and proposing policy alternatives to support national development.
He acknowledged the need for regulation to protect educational quality and public confidence but maintained that universities must have the freedom to uphold academic standards and produce well-trained graduates.
He therefore called for a more collaborative relationship between GTEC and tertiary institutions.
