Ghana Cracks Down on Unaccredited Study Centers

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KEY POINTS

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• GTEC has directed universities to stop enrolling students at 160 unaccredited centers.
• Professor Jinapor warns universities of potential accreditation revocation for non-compliance.
• Institutions are required to ensure all centers meet accreditation standards or face penalties.

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The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed universities to stop running unaccredited study centers or risk losing accreditation for their programs. This move follows the rise in unaccredited satellite centers across the country.

Unaccredited centers under scrutiny

GTEC has issued a directive to three major public universities, the University of Cape Coast (UCC), the University for Development Studies (UDS), and the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), to stop enrolling students in 160 unaccredited study centers.

The centers operate in various locations such as high schools, colleges, church premises, and even companies, all lacking proper accreditation to offer tertiary-level education.

UCC, UDS, and UEW have been instructed to comply with this mandate to avoid severe penalties. The UCC has 91 centers, the UEW has 48, and the UDS operates 21 unaccredited centers.

For instance, UCC was using facilities like the Nsawam Prisons for courses. The list of unaccredited centers includes schools and colleges across the nation, such as Dreamfield International School in Sunyani and Foso College of Education.

Addressing concerns and compliance

Speaking to Daily Graphic, Professor Abdulai Jinapor, Director-General of GTEC, stressed that accredited programs are institution-specific, and the proliferation of unaccredited centers undermines the quality and integrity of tertiary education in Ghana.

He made it clear that operating study centers without GTEC’s approval violates regulations, risking both the programs and the degrees awarded to students.

Professor Jinapor further explained that GTEC recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with six universities, including UCC, UEW, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, restricting them from using rented premises for running academic programs.

As part of this agreement, no new admissions will be made into these unaccredited centers for the 2024/2025 academic year.

The commission has also completed an audit of students in these centers, identifying those admitted without meeting minimum entry requirements.

Such students are being advised to withdraw. In addition, GTEC noted that many instructors at these centers lack the necessary qualifications to teach tertiary-level courses, which further diminishes the education quality.

Consequences and caution for students

Professor Jinapor emphasized that GTEC is not opposed to satellite campuses but insists that centers must be fit for purpose and properly accredited.

The commission will share audit findings with relevant authorities, including the National Service Secretariat and the Students Loan Trust, to ensure compliance.

Furthermore, he warned that institutions failing to comply with these regulations will face legal consequences.

“Applicants and students are advised to stay away from unaccredited centers. Enrolling in such programs puts students at risk, as their qualifications may not be recognized,” Jinapor stated.

He reiterated that GTEC will not recognize academic credentials awarded to students studying at these unaccredited centers, urging prospective students and parents to be vigilant.