The University of Ghana has halted admissions to six of its satellite learning centres for the 2026/27 academic year, following a regulatory crackdown that has sent shockwaves through the distance education community.
The centres affected are Koforidua, Cape Coast, Tamale, Ho/Tsito, Wa, and Sunyani — all cited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) for operating without the required accreditation.
GTEC Raises Red Flag Over Unaccredited Centres
In a public notice dated Wednesday, December 3, 2025, GTEC warned that the affected facilities are not authorised to run any academic programmes, stressing that qualifications obtained from the centres would not be recognised.
Prospective students were urged to conduct their own accreditation checks before enrolling — a message that has triggered concern among distance learners preparing for next year’s admissions.
UG Confirms Admission Freeze — Only Continuing Students Safe
Dean of Distance Education, Prof. Olivia Kwapong, confirmed that the University had no choice but to comply fully with the directive.
“We wouldn’t have to admit new students into these centres. We have to go by the regulations of GTEC,”
she told JoyNews.
She assured that continuing students would not be displaced. Instead, they will complete their programmes under a structured teach-out arrangement.
However, new applicants will be redirected to accredited centres in Accra, Tema, Kumasi, and Takoradi depending on their zones.
UG Begins Compliance Measures — Accreditation Process Underway
Prof. Kwapong revealed that GTEC officials have already inspected the facilities and issued detailed compliance guidelines.
The University has begun procurement for:
Structural assessment
Infrastructure upgrades
Installation of required academic support systems
These steps must be completed before the centres can regain accreditation.
She reassured students that certificates issued remain valid, as all are printed and certified from the main campus.
Why This Matters: Big Shake-Up for Distance Learning
The suspension has raised important questions for the 2026/27 admissions cycle:
Thousands of potential applicants now face limited study locations. Students in the affected regions may incur higher transportation and accommodation costs. The incident highlights Ghana’s growing concerns about quality assurance and regulatory compliance in tertiary education.
READ: GTEC introduces policy to curb abuse of Honorary Degrees in Ghana
With distance education becoming increasingly vital for working adults and mature students, the situation has drawn public attention and calls for clearer communication from both UG and GTEC.