TVET Service suspends 3 principals for collecting illegal fees

The Ghana TVET Service has suspended three principals of technical institutes due to allegations of collecting illegal fees and extorting money from students and their parents.

These individuals are the principals of the Agona Swedru Technical Institute located in the Central Region, the Sunyani Technical Institute in the Bono Region, and the Madina Technical Institute in the Greater Accra Region.

Their actions contravene the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service Free TVET Policy.

Consequently, they have been instructed to take 30 days’ administrative leave effective immediately, while investigations into the alleged misconduct are ongoing.

According to the management of TVET, this action aims to promote transparency, accountability, and fairness in the management of technical and vocational institutions throughout the nation.

A statement released by the management of the Ghana TVET Service on October 27, 2025, noted that credible reports indicated the three institutions were involved in the collection of unauthorised fees from students and parents.

The unauthorised fees included admission charges, boarding protocol fees, payments for changing residential status from day to boarding, fashion practical item fees, bedsheet payments, and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) related charges.

The Service stated that these practices clearly violate its directive regarding the maintenance of a fair and transparent admission process, undermining the government’s Free TVET Policy, which aims to ensure equitable access to technical and vocational education for all Ghanaian students.

The management of the TVET Service has established investigative committees to carry out a comprehensive and impartial inquiry into the allegations.

As per the statement, the composition of these committees will be disclosed in due course, and their findings will assist management in making final decisions and determining any further disciplinary actions deemed necessary.

In the meantime, all official responsibilities and assets have been transferred to the respective Regional Directors of the Service, who will manage the daily operations of the affected institutions alongside their regular duties.

The Ghana TVET Service reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on corruption, extortion, and any actions that compromise the integrity of the TVET system.

“Management remains resolute in upholding accountability, transparency, and fairness in the management of Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions across Ghana,” the statement said.

It also reminded heads of institutions and staff of the Service that the collection of unauthorised fees violates the principles of the Free TVET Policy and cautioned that appropriate sanctions would be enforced against any official found guilty.

The Service assured parents, students, and the general public of its ongoing commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the admission process and upholding professionalism within the TVET sector.

Additionally, it encouraged the public to report any occurrences of unauthorised fee collection or extortion to the relevant regional or national offices for swift action.

The statement further reiterated that the Free TVET Policy remains a key pillar in the government’s efforts to provide equitable and skills-based education to young Ghanaians, in line with the country’s industrialisation and employment creation agenda.

They are said to have collected illegal admission charges, fees said to be for boarding protocols, fashion-related fees, fees for bed sheets, and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) dues.

The statement further emphasised that the Free TVET Policy continues to be a fundamental component of the government’s initiatives aimed at delivering equitable and skills-oriented education to young Ghanaians, aligning with the nation’s agenda for industrialisation and job creation.

It has been reported that they collected unlawful admission fees, charges purportedly for boarding arrangements, fees associated with fashion, costs for bed linens, and dues for the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).