Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has convened an emergency meeting with public universities over the alleged charging of unapproved fees
Ghana’s Parliament approved a 15 percent increment in university fees from the previous academic year.
But University Students Association of Ghana (USAG) “strongly” opposed the increment saying it would make access to education increasingly difficult.
The students body also 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%.
However, on Tuesday, January 3, Deputy Director of GTEC, Dr. Ahmed Jinapor disclosed that five public universities have been invited to the emergency meeting.
The meeting is expected to take place on Thursday, January 5, he told Joy News.
The universities are: University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Cape Coast, University for Development Studies and University of Education, Winneba.
Dr. Ahmed Jinapor however acknowledged that “even within that five, some of them have reversed to the 15 percent “.
Meanwhile, he has assured agitating students that the Commission would ensure that the approved fees is complied with.
“Nobody is going to shortchange them,” GTEC Deputy Director maintained.
“This is to kindly remind all Public Tertiary Education Institutions to abide strictly by the approval given. Any increases above the approved rate shall be in direct contravention of the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 (Act 1080), and likely to attract sanctions from the Parliament of Ghana,” the letter issued by GTEC boss in December cautioned.