UTAG-UG warns GTEC against direct recruitment of university lecturers
The University Teachers Association of Ghana, University of Ghana Branch (UTAG-UG), has criticised the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) for allegedly exceeding its regulatory authority by seeking to recruit academic staff for public higher education institutions.
According to UTAG-UG, the move could undermine academic freedom and institutional autonomy while creating opportunities for political interference in the administration and governance of public universities.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the association said it had taken note of a GTEC advertisement inviting academics with terminal degrees to apply for teaching positions at institutions including the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS), technical universities and colleges of education.
UTAG-UG acknowledged that the initiative could be intended to address faculty shortages but said GTEC’s decision to receive applications directly and facilitate the recruitment of lecturers raised serious concerns.
The association argued that the arrangement effectively places GTEC in the position of recruiting academic staff for public institutions.
UTAG-UG warned that allowing the regulator to directly oversee the recruitment of lecturers could create what it described as “a dangerous pathway for political interference.” It said there was a risk that politically connected individuals or government loyalists could be appointed through such a process without being sufficiently accountable to the institutions where they work.
The association maintained that such a system could weaken the independence of universities in carrying out their teaching, research and other academic responsibilities.
It also questioned GTEC’s capacity to assess candidates across specialised academic disciplines, accusing the commission of positioning itself as both “a player and a referee” in the recruitment process.
UTAG-UG further expressed concern that GTEC was focusing on recruitment while, in its view, failing to address more pressing challenges affecting the quality of tertiary education.
The association cited the outstanding 2026 Book and Research Allowance and unpaid promotion arrears as some of the issues requiring urgent attention. It warned that tensions on university campuses were mounting, with industrial action reportedly being considered.
UTAG-UG said better remuneration was necessary to attract and retain highly qualified academics and improve the quality of higher education in Ghana.
The association also linked GTEC’s latest initiative to what it described as an ongoing effort by the commission’s current leadership to expand its influence over public universities. It drew parallels with the previously proposed Public Universities Bill, which the association opposed.
UTAG-UG has consequently called on the government to “call GTEC to order” and prevent what it considers undue interference in the governance of public higher education institutions.
The association stressed that individual universities already have the structures and expertise required to identify and appoint suitable candidates for academic positions.
“Every institution of higher learning has the capacity to determine the best candidates to fill academic positions and should be allowed to do so under its governance structures,” UTAG-UG said.
It warned that any attempt by GTEC to extend its regulatory responsibilities into the direct management of public universities would be strongly resisted.
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