GTEC rejects UPSA’s bid to retain two Pro-Vice-Chancellors, orders fresh recruitment

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has dismissed an appeal by the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), to retain two Pro-Vice-Chancellors currently serving at the institution.

GTEC has instead directed the university to declare the Pro-Vice-Chancellor position vacant and advertise it for eligible candidates to apply.

The controversy stems from UPSA’s decision in June 2024 to appoint two senior academics into separate Pro-Vice-Chancellor roles:

Professor Emmanuel Selase Asamoah – Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs

Professor Samuel Antwi – Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer

Both appointments took effect from 1 January 2025.

However, the move was flagged as a violation of Section 17(1) of the University of Professional Studies Act, 2012 (Act 850), which states that the Governing Council is permitted to appoint only one Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

UPSA later wrote to the Ministry of Education, requesting that the two officials be allowed to complete their tenure. GTEC was copied in the appeal.

In a reply dated 16 October 2025 and signed by Director-General Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, GTEC ruled that the appointments breached multiple legal and regulatory provisions.

The Commission said UPSA failed to seek prior clearance before creating an additional executive role that carried financial implications for the state, contrary to the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).

GTEC further referenced the university’s own statutes, which state in Regulation 7.0 that, “There shall be a Pro-Vice-Chancellor appointed by the Council in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the Statutes.”

Citing Section 17(1) of Act 850, GTEC reaffirmed that the law mandates the appointment of only one person to the role.

The Commission also warned UPSA not to use Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to sustain positions that lack legal backing.

“The position of Pro-Vice-Chancellor should be declared vacant and advertised,” the directive added, noting that future amendments to the university’s statutes must conform to national laws.

Professor Asamoah was Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies at the time of his appointment, while Professor Antwi, who served as Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, became UPSA’s first appointee tasked specifically with research, innovation and knowledge transfer.

The case arose after UPSA sought permission on 8 October 2025 to retain both officials through the end of their terms.