The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed all public universities to reopen by October 16 and begin lectures on October 19, 2026, despite the ongoing strike by university administrators.
In a directive dated Tuesday, October 13, and addressed to vice-chancellors of public universities, GTEC said the decision followed concerns about the impact of the prolonged suspension of academic activities on students, university operations and international academic partnerships.
The Commission acknowledged the administrative challenges arising from the industrial action by the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Technical University Senior Administrators Association of Ghana (TUSAAG), but stressed the need to restore academic activities.
GTEC said the government, through the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance and Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), had begun engagements with GAUA’s leadership to resolve outstanding grievances.
Under the directive, all public universities are required to reopen their campuses no later than Friday, October 16, regardless of earlier decisions to postpone reopening.
University governing councils and management have also been instructed to ensure that lectures and other academic activities begin on Monday, October 19, in line with their respective academic arrangements.
The Commission further called on GAUA members to resume their administrative duties while negotiations with the government continue in good faith.
University management has also been directed to ensure that halls of residence, academic libraries, departmental registration desks and other essential student support facilities are fully staffed and operational by Thursday, October 15, to support registration and the resumption of academic work.
The directive comes amid disruptions to the start of the 2026/2027 academic year following the industrial action over unresolved concerns raised by university administrators.
Read the full directive below:
