Story: News Desk

The University of Ghana (UG) has pushed back against the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission’s (GTEC) published fees for the upcoming academic year, stating they contradict agreements reached at a high-level stakeholder meeting chaired by the Deputy Minister of Education.According to GTEC, publicly funded universities cannot review student fees without adhering to proper procedures, including seeking Parliamentary approval as mandated by law.Accordingly, the university was also asked by GTEC to credit all continuing students who have overpaid compared to last Academic Year’s fees for the next Academic Year.Again, the university was to refund the difference to final-year students who have paid in excess of the fees for last Academic Year and revert all dues, including SRC and GRASSAG dues, to last Academic Year’s rates and in addition suspend any new fees, such as the 75th Anniversary dues and Development Levy (if newly introduced), except for those that were already in place. In a letter dated 2026 and addressed to the Director-General of GTEC, Vice-Chancellor Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo outlined specific charges that deviate from decisions made during a consultative meeting on January 8, 2026.The meeting, which included representatives from GTEC, the University Council, university management, and student leaders, had agreed on key items. According to Prof. Amfo, the approved UGSRC Development Levy was set at GH¢200, not the figure later published by GTEC.Furthermore, the telecom bundle—an optional service for enhanced data—was to remain at its original price of GH¢312. The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that this package was based on a student survey and is meant to improve communication among the student body.A significant point of contention is the 75th Anniversary Levy. Prof. Amfo’s letter clarified that this levy, which funds a legacy Student Experience Centre project, was not discussed for discontinuation. “There was no discussion or decision during the meeting on the 75th anniversary levy, which is not a new line item,” the Vice-Chancellor stated. “We are therefore not clear on the basis for the request to stop this levy after the current academic year.”