The Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has directed the management of the University of Ghana (UG) to comply with the 15 percent increment in tertiary fees approved by parliament.
The minister’s directive follows an engagement with some public universities over claims that some tertiary institutions are billing students more than they should.
Dr. Adutwum told journalists on Thursday after the meeting that each university was given the opportunity to explain the rationale behind the recent reviews.
“We heard from University of Education, Winneba, we’ve also heard from our great university, University of Cape Coast, about steps that they have taken.
“In cases where the fees were over 15 percent, they are doing refunds. They want to live within the 15 percent as mandated by Parliament, so I am very happy this morning,” the minister said.
University of Cape Coast, the University of Education, Winneba and the University of Mines and Technology have all complied with the directive on fee charging.
But Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, Kwasi Kwarteng said the University of Ghana were yet to comply with the directive.
“Meanwhile, the University of Ghana have been directed to immediately comply with the directive and communicate same to the public,” he told journalists.
However, it appears the management of the University of Ghana may defied the minister’s directive.
“I am sorry to say that we will go on a mission of positive defiance to ensure that the right thing is done. To charge 15 percent on a fee that is not approved will mean we have no integrity. It will mean we will be doing something that is illegal,” Professor at the University of Ghana, Legon, Ransford Yaw Gyampo told TV3.
It would be recalled that the University Students Association of Ghana (USAG) alleged that some universities are charging even more than the 15 percent they already have issues with.
The Director General of Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Prof. Mohammed Salifu, in a letter to vice-chancellors of public universities and principals of public colleges of education, dated 22nd December, acknowledged receipt of “numerous petitions” from students and other individuals about some universities charging fees “far in excess” of the maximum 15%.