GTEC directs public universities to reopen by October 16

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a formal directive to all public universities to reopen for the 2026/2027 academic year by Wednesday, October 16, 2026. Under the mandate, academic lectures are scheduled to commence on Monday, October 19, despite ongoing industrial action by administrative staff. This move is intended to curb the continued disruption of the academic calendar at major institutions, including the University of Ghana (UG) and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), which have both postponed their reopening dates due to strike action.

Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu expressed optimism that the current impasse with the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical Universities Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG) will be resolved by the weekend. Speaking after emergency meetings with stakeholders, the Minister revealed that the government is currently processing GH₵12 million in outstanding allowances to address part of the administrators' grievances. He emphasized that the resumption of academic activities is a priority under President John Mahama’s "Reset Agenda" to ensure stability in the tertiary sector.

The primary point of contention remains the restoration of the market premium for university administrators to 114% of their basic salary. GAUA President Rev. Kwaku Karikari Amoah noted that this premium has eroded significantly since 2012. While the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) is expected to provide a final response on the matter by October 16, other concerns such as research allowances and retirement rollovers have reportedly been addressed. The Minister has urged the unions to suspend their strike in good faith while the FWSC seeks a final mandate from the Ministry of Finance.

To ensure a smooth transition, GTEC has instructed university managements to restore essential services by October 15, with Vice-Chancellors required to submit readiness reports by October 14. Beyond the labor dispute, Minister Iddrisu also highlighted the need for universities to address rising student accommodation costs. He suggested that the government is exploring rent loan options through the Student Loan Trust to protect students from exorbitant charges by private hostel operators, ensuring that the return to campus is financially feasible for the student body.