Prof Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai is the Director-General of GTEC
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed the management of the University of Ghana to immediately reverse all recent fee increases and additional charges introduced for the 2025/2026 academic year.
According to the commission, publicly funded universities are not permitted to review or introduce student fees without following due process, including obtaining parliamentary approval as required by law.
In a letter dated January 5, 2026, and signed by the Director-General of GTEC, Prof Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, and addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, the commission said it had become aware that the university increased student fees by about 25 percent and, in some instances, introduced new charges without the requisite approval from relevant authorities.
UG students kick against over 25% fee hikes for 2025/26 academic year
GTEC has consequently instructed the university to credit all continuing students who paid amounts exceeding the 2024/2025 academic year fees, with the excess applied to the next academic year.
“Final-year students who have already paid fees above the previous year’s rates are to be refunded the difference,” the statement said.
The commission further directed that all dues, including SRC and GRASSAG charges, be reverted to the 2024/2025 academic year levels.
Any newly introduced fees, such as the 75th anniversary dues and the development levy, are to be suspended unless duly authorised, GTEC said.
Education minister warns public universities against unauthorised increase in tuition fees
GTEC has given the University of Ghana until January 12, 2026, to submit evidence of full compliance with the directives. It warned that failure to comply will attract serious regulatory sanctions.
The commission stressed that any variation from its directive must receive explicit written approval from the Minister of Education.
It also named the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak, as the liaison between the ministry and the University of Ghana on the matter.
GTEC reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the Fees and Charges Act and ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in the management of fees across tertiary education institutions in the country.
MRA/AE
Meanwhile, watch President John Dramani Mahama’s 2026 full New Year Message below:
