The Technical University Teachers’ Association of Ghana (Technical University Teachers’ Association of Ghana) is calling on government to urgently prioritise the strengthening of existing public universities, warning that continued underfunding is undermining the quality of higher education in the country.
At its Extraordinary Congress held at Kumasi Technical University, the association stressed that government should focus more on adequately resourcing current institutions rather than expanding the number of universities without sufficient funding support.
TUTAG argued that properly equipping existing universities would improve teaching quality, research output, programme delivery, and graduate outcomes, while ensuring better use of public funds.
In a communiqué signed by President Professor Deodat Emilson Adenutsi and General Secretary Dr Francis Fonyee Nutsugah, the association called for a more balanced and evidence-based approach to university expansion, cautioning against rushed establishment of new institutions.
While it did not oppose the creation of new universities where necessary, TUTAG insisted that expansion must be guided by clear planning, sustainability, and national priorities.
The association also raised serious concerns over financial challenges affecting lecturers, particularly issues related to the suspension of rollover and post-retirement contract arrangements.
According to the communiqué, the suspension has led to significant hardship for affected staff, with some reportedly owed salary arrears stretching up to 21 months.
TUTAG has therefore appealed to the Ministries of Education and Finance, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (Ghana Tertiary Education Commission), and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to urgently settle outstanding payments by May 29, 2026, to prevent further disruption to academic work.
The association further highlighted concerns about inconsistencies in regulatory decisions affecting technical universities, including issues related to qualification recognition and governance processes.
It called for greater transparency, respect for institutional autonomy, and adherence to due process in all regulatory actions affecting the tertiary education sector.
TUTAG also urged the National Labour Commission to convene urgent engagements involving all key stakeholders, including government agencies, university leadership, and labour institutions, to resolve disputes surrounding conditions of service and payment issues.
The communiqué further referenced concerns about regulatory actions involving technical universities, including reports regarding changes on the GTEC website affecting Bolgatanga Technical University in January 2026, and called for clarification to protect institutional credibility.
TUTAG concluded by reaffirming its readiness to collaborate with government and education authorities to strengthen accountability, fairness, and stability within Ghana’s tertiary education system through continuous dialogue and negotiation.
