The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed public officers in leadership positions at tertiary institutions to resign from political party executive roles or relinquish their public offices. The directive applies to vice-chancellors, principals, registrars, deans, heads of department, directors of finance and other senior officials.
In a statement signed by Deputy Director-General Prof. Augustine Ocloo, GTEC reminded all heads of tertiary institutions to enforce compliance with Section 26 of the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574), which prohibits public officers from engaging in partisan political activities or holding executive positions in political parties.
The Commission said the directive is aimed at preserving political neutrality, preventing conflicts of interest, and maintaining public confidence in Ghana’s tertiary education system. It also cited the Public Services Commission’s longstanding position that public officers who wish to take up political party executive roles must first resign from public office.
GTEC expressed concern over reports that some senior officials continue to serve as political party executives while holding public positions, warning that the practice undermines the integrity, impartiality and professionalism expected of leaders in public tertiary institutions.