GTEC withdraws retirement age, post-retirement contract directive following ministerial order

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has officially withdrawn its earlier policy directive concerning retirement age and post-retirement contract arrangements for senior academic staff in public universities across the country.

The decision comes after a directive from the Minister of Education, following a high-level meeting with the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana. This development was confirmed in an official statement issued by the Commission.

The now-withdrawn directive, which was originally dated October 1, 2025, had introduced new guidelines aimed at regulating the retirement age of senior academic members as well as the terms under which they could be retained on contract after retirement. The policy had generated discussions within the academic community, particularly among university lecturers and administrators concerned about its potential impact on staffing and institutional continuity.

In its statement, GTEC explained that the withdrawal is in direct compliance with the Minister’s instruction and is intended to allow for broader consultations with key stakeholders in the tertiary education sector.

“Following a meeting between the Honourable Minister for Education and the leadership of UTAG, the Minister has directed GTEC to immediately withdraw its policy directive dated 1st October, 2025,” the statement indicated.

It further emphasized the Commission’s commitment to inclusive policymaking.

“In compliance with the Minister’s directive, and pending further consultations with all relevant stakeholders, GTEC hereby announces the immediate withdrawal of the policy directive,” the statement added.

The statement was signed by Augustina Ocloo, Deputy Director-General of GTEC, on behalf of the Director-General, underscoring the Commission’s official position on the matter.

GTEC noted that the withdrawal is not the end of the process but rather a step toward achieving a more widely accepted and sustainable framework. The Commission indicated that it will engage relevant stakeholders—including university authorities, academic unions, and policymakers—to review the issues surrounding retirement and post-retirement employment in public universities.

According to the Commission, revised guidelines will be issued after these consultations are completed, with the aim of ensuring fairness, institutional stability, and the long-term development of Ghana’s tertiary education system.

The Commission also reassured public universities and other stakeholders of its commitment to maintaining stability within the sector while promoting collaborative decision-making processes that reflect the interests of all parties involved.

This move is expected to ease tensions within the academic community, as stakeholders anticipate further dialogue and a more inclusive approach to policy formulation regarding the careers and welfare of senior academic staff.