The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has intensified its crackdown on unaccredited tertiary institutions, publishing a list of 50 entities — both local and foreign — that have been operating without official recognition in Ghana.
In a strongly worded statement signed by the Director-General, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, GTEC cautioned the public, particularly students, parents, and employers, against engaging with any of the listed institutions, stressing that degrees or certificates awarded by them are invalid and will not be recognised for employment or further academic pursuits.
“This notice serves as a public warning. The listed institutions have not met the Commission’s accreditation and quality assurance requirements and are therefore not authorised to operate as tertiary institutions in Ghana,” the statement said.
The warning forms part of GTEC’s ongoing efforts to sanitize Ghana’s higher education landscape and protect students from exploitation by unlicensed institutions that promise quick degrees or foreign affiliations.
Among the unaccredited institutions identified are Debest College of Science, Arts and Business (Ghana), Faith University Seminary (Ghana), Universidad Azteca (Mexico), Atlantic International University (USA), Osiri University (USA), Kingsnow University (USA), and Indian School of Management and Studies (India).
According to GTEC, some of these institutions operate through online platforms or franchise arrangements, deceiving students into believing their programmes are internationally recognised. The Commission reiterated that any tertiary institution seeking to operate in Ghana must be duly accredited and periodically reviewed to maintain academic and institutional quality.
GTEC further urged employers to verify academic credentials through its official accreditation database before offering employment to candidates claiming qualifications from lesser-known universities.
“This exercise is not only to protect the integrity of Ghana’s tertiary education system but also to ensure that employers, students, and the public can trust the quality and legitimacy of academic qualifications issued within or outside the country,” Prof. Jinapor Abdulai stressed.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing monitoring and pledged to take firm action against any unapproved institution found operating in violation of the law.
