Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has revealed that the government’s intervention in the recent University of Ghana (UG) fee increase stemmed from strong public outcry from students and parents.
Speaking on the matter, Dr. Apaak explained that the Ministry of Education directed the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to step in and suspend the 25% hike, pending further review.
“Over the weekend, the Minister instructed me to contact GTEC to understand the reasons behind the 25% increase in academic fees,” he said, adding that the university had cited adjustments by third-party service providers as the cause.
Dr. Apaak noted that explanations from both the university administration and the Students’ Representative Council (UGSRC) were considered, but legal compliance remained a key concern. “Parliament had not approved any increase under the Fees and Charges Act, so GTEC was instructed to halt the fees until a resolution is reached,” he said.
Highlighting the role of public reaction, the Deputy Minister said, “The level of outcry from students and parents was such that we could not ignore it.”
He further disclosed that the Education Minister has tasked him with leading stakeholder engagements, bringing together the university, student leaders, and GTEC to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties. “Dialogue remains our preferred approach,” Dr. Apaak stressed.
Meanwhile, UG’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare, clarified that the fee increases were not imposed by the university management but were third-party charges approved internally by student leadership.
Dr. Apaak’s statement underscores the government’s commitment to temporarily halting the fee increases while pursuing a legally compliant and widely acceptable resolution.
