The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a directive to suspend two significant decisions made by the Governing Council of the Bolgatanga Technical University, citing procedural concerns and possible implications for the institution.
A letter signed by Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, the Director-General of GTEC, indicated that the Commission had been alerted to a circular dated December 15, 2025, which was issued by the Chairman of the University’s Governing Council and directed to the university community.
GTEC stated that the circular instructed the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Samuel E. Alnaa, to take his accumulated annual leave in response to petitions received at the institution.
The Commission characterised this directive as “unprecedented and potentially problematic,” emphasising that the Office of the Vice-Chancellor holds a vital role within the governance framework of the university, and that instructing its holder to take leave via a circular to the entire university community is inappropriate.
Additionally, the Commission expressed concerns regarding a second decision included in the same circular, which appointed the Acting Registrar, Mr. Richard Abugre Atia, as the substantive Registrar effective January 1, 2026.
GTEC noted that it had been reliably informed that Mr. Atia did not meet the required pass mark established by the interview panel assigned to conduct interviews for the Registrar position.
In light of these concerns, GTEC has instructed that the two resolutions made during an emergency Governing Council meeting on December 11, 2025, be temporarily suspended.
Additionally, the Commission has requested that all pertinent information and documentation that led to the directive for the Vice-Chancellor to take his accumulated leave, along with the interview report for the Registrar position, be forwarded to GTEC for evaluation and guidance on the subsequent course of action by Friday, December 19, 2025.
“Meanwhile, Professor Samuel E. Alnaa continues to serve as the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Bolgatanga Technical University and is considered to be in position until he opts to take his annual leave,” the letter indicated. GTEC further noted that Mr. Richard Abugre Atia is not permitted to assume the role of Registrar until all matters regarding his appointment are completely resolved.
This GTEC directive follows a prior communication from the University’s Governing Council, which was signed by its Chairman, Dr. Bishop Akolgo, instructing Professor Alnaa to commence his accumulated annual leave from December 19, 2025, to December 18, 2026.
In that correspondence, the Council explained that its decision was based on factors related to institutional stability, staff morale, and the need to restore a peaceful and conducive environment for both academic and administrative functions.
The Council noted that a review of Professor Alnaa’s accumulated leave since his appointment in May 2018 revealed that he had accrued one year of leave in accordance with the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) and the University’s Human Resource Policy.
The Council emphasised that the leave was designed to provide the Vice-Chancellor with time for rest and contemplation, facilitate peace and reconciliation processes, and foster confidence-building within the university community. Furthermore, it stated that the Pro Vice-Chancellor would serve in an acting capacity during the leave period, as per the University’s statutes.
Nonetheless, due to GTEC’s recent intervention, the execution of the Council’s decisions has been put on hold while awaiting additional review and direction from the Commission.
SourceThe Ghana Report
