Accra, April 20, 2026 - The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has withdrawn a controversial directive that sought to nullify decisions made by the Governing Council of the University for Development Studies (UDS), including the recent appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor.

The development follows a sequence of events that unfolded within four days after UDS appointed Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu as Vice-Chancellor on April 16, 2026.

On April 20, GTEC, led by Director-General Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, issued a letter directing that all decisions taken by the UDS Governing Council since the enactment of the University for Development Studies Act, 2025 (Act 1143), be “stayed” and subjected to validation by a yet-to-be-constituted council.

However, within hours of issuing the directive, the Commission retracted the letter in its entirety, stating that it should be treated as having no effect.

An apology was subsequently extended to the university’s governing body, management, and broader community.

The controversy traces back to April 16, when the UDS Governing Council formally appointed Prof. Iddrisu as Vice-Chancellor.

A day later, on April 17, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, requested GTEC to facilitate nominations for the reconstitution of the university’s governing council under the new law.

GTEC also issued a routine request to UDS for nominees’ credentials, without reference to any suspension of council decisions.

The situation escalated unexpectedly on April 20 when GTEC issued its now-retracted directive effectively attempting to invalidate all council decisions, including the Vice-Chancellor’s appointment.

The directive sparked concerns among stakeholders, as it appeared to contradict Section 43 of Act 1143. The provision explicitly allows the existing governing council to continue exercising its functions until a new council is constituted, with its decisions remaining legally valid.

Legal analysts and sector observers argue that GTEC, as a regulatory body, lacks the authority to impose a “stay” on decisions, a remedy typically reserved for judicial institutions.

The incident has prompted calls for transparency and accountability within Ghana’s tertiary education sector.

Stakeholders are urging Parliament and the Ministry of Education to investigate the circumstances surrounding the issuance and withdrawal of the directive.

Key questions being raised include whether the Commission was aware of the Vice-Chancellor’s appointment at the time of drafting the directive, what triggered the abrupt policy shift, and whether proper legal review procedures were followed.

Education analysts warn that the episode highlights broader concerns about institutional autonomy and regulatory overreach.

If upheld, the directive could have set a precedent allowing administrative bodies to overturn university council decisions without judicial oversight.

While the swift retraction has been described as a corrective step, observers maintain that the incident underscores the need for stronger safeguards to protect governance structures within public universities.

Stakeholders, including academic unions and civil society groups, are calling on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education to summon GTEC leadership for clarification.

There are also appeals for the full publication of all related correspondence to ensure transparency.

The UDS Governing Council has been urged to maintain its position on the appointment of Prof. Iddrisu, which remains legally valid under existing provisions.

Background:

The University for Development Studies Act, 2025 (Act 1143), governs the administration and transitional arrangements of UDS, including provisions ensuring continuity of its governing council during institutional restructuring.

Report By: Robicon Mornahson