The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has taken decisive steps to enforce regulatory compliance across the country’s tertiary education sector by directing all public universities to maintain their current student fees for the upcoming 2025/2026 Academic Year.
In a circular dated November 3, 2025, the Commission explicitly instructed universities not to implement any revised fees for the new academic year unless prior approval has been obtained from Parliament, as required by law.
According to GTEC, the directive follows observations that some public tertiary institutions have, over the years, reviewed student fees without following the proper legal and procedural channels — a situation the Commission says has led to “implementation difficulties.”
The circular emphasised that the measure was necessary “to ensure compliance with statutory requirements under the Fees and Charges Act,” which regulates how government entities, including public universities, determine and implement charges for services.
Under the subject heading “2025/2026 Academic Year Fees,” GTEC reminded all Vice Chancellors of their legal obligations. The circular stated:
“Vice Chancellors are hereby reminded to maintain the current student fees and only implement the revised fees for the 2025/2026 academic year after obtaining approval from Parliament.”
The directive, signed by Dr. Emmanuel Oware Nyarko, Director of Quality Assurance and Compliance, on behalf of the Director-General of GTEC, reflects the Commission’s firm stance on ensuring adherence to financial governance rules within the tertiary sector.
The circular was addressed to the Vice Chancellors of all Traditional Universities and Technical Universities across the country.
By this action, GTEC has sent a clear signal that all future fee adjustments in public tertiary institutions will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny, aimed at ensuring that student financial obligations remain transparent, lawful, and fair as the new academic year approaches.
