GTEC Orders Public Universities to Reopen by October 16 Despite Ongoing Strike

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed all public universities to reopen for the 2026/2027 academic year by Friday, October 16, 2026, despite the ongoing industrial action by university administrators.

The Commission has also instructed university authorities to ensure that lectures begin on Monday, October 19, 2026, regardless of earlier decisions to postpone academic activities.

The directive, issued on Tuesday, October 13, follows concerns over disruptions caused by the strike involving the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and the Tertiary and University Senior Staff Association of Ghana (TUSAAG).

According to GTEC, the directive was issued under the authority of the Minister for Education to prevent further disruption to students’ academic progress and university operations.

“Governing Councils and Management of all public universities shall ensure that academic activities, particularly lectures, commence without fail on Monday, 19th October 2026, in accordance with their respective academic arrangements,” the directive stated.

GTEC further instructed universities 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, 2026.

The Commission explained that the measures were necessary to facilitate student registration and ensure a smooth return to academic activities.

“While acknowledging the administrative challenges arising from the industrial action of GAUA and TUSAAG, the Ministry has emphasised that the indefinite suspension of academic activities has far-reaching implications for students’ academic progression, institutional operations, national tertiary education delivery and international academic partnerships,” GTEC stated.

Meanwhile, the Commission disclosed that the government had begun engagements with GAUA’s leadership to resolve the outstanding concerns behind the strike.

The negotiations involve the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance and Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).

GTEC consequently appealed to members of GAUA to resume their administrative duties while negotiations continue.

“Members of the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) are requested to resume their administrative duties within the framework of the ongoing good-faith negotiations between the Government and the Association,” the directive said.

The Commission, however, did not indicate that the grievances that led to the industrial action had been fully resolved.

The directive comes after some public universities, including the University of Ghana, postponed their reopening for the 2026/2027 academic year.

In a notice dated October 10, the University of Ghana announced the postponement of its reopening, initially scheduled for Monday, October 12, without providing a revised date.

With GTEC’s latest directive, public universities are now required to make the necessary arrangements for students to return and for lectures to commence on October 19.

The Commission expects university governing councils and management teams to comply with the reopening arrangements while discussions continue towards resolving the industrial dispute.