The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed senior officials of public tertiary institutions who simultaneously hold executive positions within political parties to choose between their public appointments and active partisan roles.
The Commission says individuals occupying both positions must either relinquish their political party executive responsibilities or step down from their public offices.
The directive is aimed at protecting the neutrality and impartiality expected of senior officials responsible for managing Ghana’s tertiary education institutions.
GTEC explained that holding a senior public position while serving as an active political party executive could raise concerns about the independence of tertiary institutions and potentially affect public confidence in their administration.
The Commission has therefore reminded institutional leaders that public office comes with responsibilities that require them to maintain professional standards and avoid situations that could create conflicts of interest or perceptions of political bias.
The directive reportedly affects senior officials across public tertiary institutions, including vice-chancellors, registrars, deans, directors and heads of departments.
GTEC has consequently asked the governing councils and management of tertiary institutions to ensure that affected officials comply with the directive.
The Commission’s position is based on existing legal provisions governing political participation by public officers, including restrictions under Ghana’s political party laws.
According to GTEC, public officers who wish to take up active executive positions within political parties are expected to first relinquish their public appointments.
The Commission has therefore cautioned institutional leaders against combining their responsibilities as public officials with active political party executive positions.
GTEC’s directive comes amid broader discussions about political neutrality and professionalism in Ghana’s public institutions. The Commission maintains that ensuring clear separation between public administration and partisan political activities is essential to strengthening confidence in the tertiary education sector.
The affected officials are now expected to make the necessary decisions regarding their respective positions and comply with the Commission’s directive.