The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed public officers in tertiary educational institutions to choose between their public offices and their party executive positions. The directive, issued in Accra, applies to officers such as vice-chancellors, principals, and registrars.
Tertiary Leaders Told to Resign or Relieve Themselves of Public Office
The directive was issued by GTEC's Deputy Director-General, Prof. Augustine Ocloo, in a statement that referenced Section 26 of the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574). According to the statement, the law prohibits public officers from holding executive positions in political parties to prevent actual or perceived conflicts between their official responsibilities and partisan interests. The statement noted that the Public Services Commission has consistently reiterated that public officers who intend to engage in active party politics or assume political party executive positions are expected to relinquish their public office before doing so.
GTEC has directed governing councils and management of tertiary education institutions to ensure full compliance with the law. The Commission has expressed concern over reports that some institutional leaders and senior managers continue to serve as political party executives while holding public office. It noted that this practice undermines the principles of political neutrality, impartiality, and public confidence expected of leaders within Ghana's public tertiary education system.
Governing Councils to Ensure Compliance
The directive applies to various senior officials, including vice-chancellors, principals, pro vice-chancellors, vice-principals, registrars, directors of finance, deans, heads of department, and other senior officials. GTEC has reminded heads of tertiary education institutions to ensure full compliance with the legal requirements. The statement emphasized that public officers serving in leadership positions must not simultaneously hold executive positions in political parties.
What This Means for Ghana's Tertiary Education System
The move by GTEC is aimed at ensuring that public officers uphold the principles of political neutrality, impartiality, and public confidence in the administration of higher education. The Commission trusts that all institutions will continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and political neutrality in the discharge of their statutory mandates. However, the implementation of this directive remains to be seen, and it is unclear how the affected institutions will respond to the directive.
Ghana's tertiary education system has been plagued by concerns over the politicization of institutions. The directive by GTEC is a step in the right direction, but its effectiveness will depend on the level of compliance by the affected institutions. As the Commission continues to monitor the situation, it remains to be seen how the directive will shape the future of Ghana's tertiary education system.
Source: Joy Online
