GTEC’s directive impact: UCC appeals for clearance to recruit staff

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has appealed to the government to grant financial clearance for the recruitment of additional academic staff, following the exit of several senior faculty members due to a directive from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

It said there is an urgent need for permanent staff recruitment to sustain effective teaching and research,” he stressed.

The appeal was made by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto, at the 10th Session of the University’s 58th Congregation.

The ceremony was attended by university management, faculty, parents and invited guests, marking another milestone in UCC’s commitment to research excellence, innovation and national development.

Graduation statistics

The 10-session five-day congregation saw 17,542 students graduating with degrees, diplomas and certificates.

A total of 2,250 research students graduated at the ceremony, made up of 128 doctoral degrees, 327 Master of Philosophy (MPhil), 39 Master of Commerce, five Master of Nursing, 1,477 Master of Education graduands, and seven Executive Master’s degrees.

Directive

Prof. Aheto explained that a recent Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) directive requiring staff who have attained the compulsory retirement age of 60 to proceed on retirement had affected 38 academic staff, including professors, associate professors and senior lecturers.

He stated that many of the affected staff exited abruptly, without prior planning, creating significant administrative and academic strain for the university.

“It is not sustainable for the university to depend on part-time lecturers, especially for our emerging academic programmes.

There is an urgent need for permanent staff recruitment to sustain effective teaching and research,” he stressed.

Accommodation deficit

Beyond staffing concerns, Prof. Aheto raised alarm over the university’s growing accommodation deficit, describing it as an urgent issue requiring immediate intervention from government and development partners.

He disclosed that student enrolment had increased, with about 11,500 students applying for on-campus accommodation for the 2024/2025 academic year and approximately 6,000 eventually securing beds.

The rest, he noted, were compelled to rely on private hostels, raising concerns about affordability, safety and students’ academic wellbeing.

He said the university was engaging relevant stakeholders to address the situation, emphasising that adequate accommodation was critical to student success and campus security.

Prof. Aheto expressed appreciation to the government, development partners and research collaborators for their support, which he said had helped UCC maintain its position as a leading research institution in the sub-region.

Security and national service

The acting Vice-Chancellor further announced that the university has also graduated 433 senior police officers during the year, reaffirming UCC’s contribution to national security and leadership development.

He gave the assurance that the university would continue to strengthen programmes aimed at enhancing the country’s security architecture.

Charge to graduands

Addressing the graduands, Prof. Aheto urged them to view their academic achievements not merely as certificates but as tools for societal transformation.

“Be responsible, resilient and courageous. Take fear out of your lives and allow the core values of the University of Cape Coast to guide you wherever you go,” he said.

Governing board chairman

The Chairman of the university’s governing board, Justice William Atugubah, described the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) as a leading centre for advanced scholarship and solution-driven research.

He commended faculty and staff for producing graduands who met international standards and expressed gratitude to parents and guardians for their sacrifices.

Justice Atugubah charged the graduands to deploy their expertise with integrity and humility, influence public policy and contribute meaningfully to national development through evidence-based solutions.

Valedictorian’s reflection

The Valedictorian, Augustine Coffie, highlighted the challenges encountered during their academic journey, including limited resources and the pressure to meet strict academic timelines.

He, however, acknowledged the dedication of lecturers, supervisors and the support of family members, which he said made their success possible.