The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has withdrawn a directive it issued to state-owned universities in respect of post-retirement contracts.
This is contained in a letter sighted by 3news dated April 27.
“The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) respectfully refers to the above-mentioned subject. Following a meeting between the Honourable Minister for Education and the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Honourable Minister has issued a directive to GTEC to immediately withdraw its policy directive dated 1st October. 2025, regarding retirement age and post-retirement contracts for Academic Senior Members of public universities.
In compliance with the Minister’s directive, and pending further consultations with all relevant stakeholders to ensure broad consensus and institutional sustainability, GTEC hereby announces the immediate withdrawal of the attached policy directive dated 1st October, 2025,” the letter signed by Prof Augustine Ocloo, Deputy Director-General of GTEC stated.
“Further guidance will be communicated following the conclusion of stakeholder consultations,” it added.
Earlier, the Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu directed GTEC) to withdraw its recent letters concerning post-retirement contracts for senior academic staff in public universities.
According to a press statement signed by the Minister’s Press Secretary, Hashmin Mohammed, the directive affects letters issued on September 30 and October 1, 2025, which addressed the engagement of Academic Senior Members after retirement.
“This directive follows a meeting between the Honourable Minister for Education and the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG),” the statement said.
The Ministry indicated that the decision to withdraw the letters is temporary and aimed at allowing for broader consultations with key stakeholders across the tertiary education sector.
“The decision has been taken pending further consultations with relevant stakeholders to ensure that any policy direction in this regard reflects broad consensus, promotes institutional sustainability, and serves the best interests of Ghana’s tertiary education sector,” the statement noted.
Reaffirming its stance, the Ministry emphasized its commitment to an open and inclusive process in shaping policies affecting higher education.
“The Ministry of Education remains committed to a transparent, inclusive, and consultative approach in addressing matters affecting the higher education landscape,” the statement added.
The development comes amid ongoing discussions about post-retirement engagements within Ghana’s public universities, a matter that has drawn attention from academic stakeholders in recent months.
