The University Teachers Association of Ghana, University of Ghana Branch (UTAG–UG), has rejected claims that the University of Ghana (UG) implemented a 25 per cent increase in school fees, describing such assertions as false and a clear indication of regulatory failure by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).
Speaking during an interview on ABC In The Morning on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, President of UTAG–UG, Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison, criticised the leadership of GTEC over a directive asking UG to reverse an alleged 25 per cent fee increment, which he said never occurred.
Dr. Harrison explained that the University of Ghana has not taken any decision to increase school fees by 25 per cent, nor has its council approved such an increment.
“When the letter came for UG to reverse the 25 per cent increment in fees, the GTEC Director needed to verify whether that statement was true or not. As far as we know, UG will never increase school fees by 25 per cent,” he stated.
According to him, GTEC acted without due diligence by issuing what he described as a harsh reprimand to the university over a decision that was never taken.
“As a regulator, you didn’t even know what was happening in universities, yet you issued a letter reprimanding an institution and asking for a reversal of a decision by the council of the university which it has not taken. That clearly means you are incompetent,” Dr. Harrison said.
He stressed that the situation could have been resolved through simple verification, noting that GTEC failed to engage UG management before issuing its directive.
“All that you needed to do was to pick up the phone and call the management of the University of Ghana and enquire as to whether such an increment had been effected,” he said, adding that “there has been nothing like a 25 per cent increase in school fees.”
Dr. Harrison clarified that while UG has submitted a request for a review of its fees, the request is still undergoing the required statutory process and has not received parliamentary approval.
“UG has requested for an increase in school fees in line with the procedure to go to Parliament, and GTEC is fully aware of this. However, the increment has not been agreed to by Parliament,” he explained.
Touching on the legal mandate of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, the UTAG–UG President argued that the Commission has overstepped its authority under the GTEC Act by attempting to interfere with university governance.
“The GTEC Act gives it advisory and regulatory roles, but rescinding decisions of university councils is not one of those regulatory powers,” he said, adding that GTEC appears to be confusing its advisory role with its regulatory mandate.
Dr. Harrison further stated that neither the GTEC Director-General, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, nor his Deputy, Prof. Augustine Ocloo, has the authority to reverse decisions taken by university councils.
“Jinapor and his deputy do not have any power whatsoever to reverse a decision by any council,” he stressed.
He accused the leadership of GTEC of abusing their positions to intimidate university authorities and undermine the autonomy of public universities.
“They are using their powers to intimidate people, annoy people and disrespect councils that have been constituted by an Act. That is not how our higher educational institutions are required to run,” he said.
Dr. Harrison further questioned the competence of the current GTEC leadership, arguing that their actions show a poor understanding of the limits of their authority under the law.
“If they don’t seem to understand the powers that have been given to them under the law, they have no business continuing to be in office,” he stated.
The comments add to growing tensions between university stakeholders and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission over governance, regulatory boundaries and fee-setting processes in public universities.
