The Acting Director General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, has expressed gratitude to the Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for their proactive approach in addressing the longstanding issue of delays in accrediting new programs in various tertiary institutions in the country.
Professor Jinapor Abdulai during his appearance before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament, revealed that since October 2023, when the Chairman of the Committee, Honorable James Klutse-Avedzi, announced its intention to meet with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and the various Vice-Chancellors of Universities in the country to investigate delays in accrediting new programs, the Commission took immediate action.
According to Professor Jinapor Abdulai, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission since receiving the directives from the Public Account Committee put accreditation for new programs on hold and implemented policies to clear the existing backlog.
Professor Jinapor Abdulai further highlighted the prevalent culture of non-adherence to accreditation standards in the country and commended the Committee for bringing attention to the matter, stating that the decision to meet with the Commission prompted a reconsideration of attitudes towards accreditation.
“People think whether you have it or not nothing happens but Hon. Chairman your decision to meet us got people thinking”
Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai
Furthermore, the Acting Director General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission noted that to address the delays in accrediting new programs, the Commission established an Accelerated Accreditation Committee that collaborates with the normal Accreditation Office to expedite the verification and processing of documents.
Professor Jinapor Abdulai shared that, previously, the Commission accredited an average of 400 to 600 programs, but with the new committee, they have successfully accredited 1,024 programs in the last quarter of the year 2023.
Launch of Accreditation Management Information System (AMIS)
Moreover, the Acting Director General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, disclosed plans of the Commission to launch the Accreditation Management Information System, a digital platform that enables applicants to apply for accreditation without the need to visit the Commission’s offices physically.
Professor Jinapor Abdulai further noted that such a step is expected to streamline the application process, making it more efficient and accessible.
In addition, Professor Jinapor Abdulai disclosed the intended plans by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to decentralize its operations by opening two new offices in Kumasi (Ashanti Region) and Tamale (Northern Region) to further enhance its accreditation process to tertiary institutions across the country.
This move according to Professor Jinapor Abdulai aims to bring accreditation services closer to institutions and applicants, fostering a more responsive and accessible system.
Professor Jinapor Abdulai in his concluding remarks during his appearance before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament conveyed a stern warning that soon, students enrolled in programs not duly accredited by the Commission will not be permitted to undertake their National Service.
He also strongly posited that individuals holding certificates from unaccredited programs will face restrictions in employment opportunities in the country and thus cautioned all tertiary institutions to recognize the need for them to get their programs accredited and certified by the Commission.
Several tertiary institutions, including C.K Tedan University of Technology and Applied Science, S.D Dombo University of Business and Integrated Studies, were summoned to appear before the Committee to address queries raised in the Auditor-General’s Report on the Public Accounts of Ghana for the period ended 31st December 2023
Others included the University for Development Studies, the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), the University of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Ghana National Service Scheme.
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