The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed all public universities to reopen by Friday, October 16, 2026, despite ongoing industrial action involving the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and TUSAAG.
The directive follows an emergency meeting involving Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, representatives of the unions and GTEC on Monday, October 12, as efforts continue to resolve the outstanding grievances behind the industrial action.
In a directive dated Tuesday, October 13, and addressed to all vice-chancellors of public universities, GTEC also ordered institutions to commence lectures on Monday, October 19, irrespective of earlier decisions to postpone reopening.
“Reopening of Universities: All public universities shall officially reopen their campuses for the 2026/2027 academic year not later than Friday, 16th October 2026, irrespective of any earlier decisions to postpone reopening.”
The Commission acknowledged the administrative challenges arising from the industrial action but warned that the indefinite suspension of academic activities had far-reaching implications for students’ academic progress and university operations.
GTEC said the government, through the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), had initiated engagements with GAUA’s leadership to resolve outstanding grievances.
READ: Education Ministry invites GAUA, GTEC leaders to emergency meeting over ongoing strike
The Commission also requested GAUA members 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.”
University managements have further 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 student registration and the resumption of academic activities.
