Public Universities told to maintain old fees for now

The National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) has directed the management of public institutions to maintain the 2016/2017 academic year fees and charges while parliamentary approval is sought for any adjustments for this academic year.

A statement issued by the council, and signed by the Executive Secretary, Professor Mohamed Salifu, said: “The proposed fees and charges for the 2017/2018 academic year have been collated for consideration and approval by Parliament.

“This is in accordance with the requirements of the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (Act 793) and Amendment Instrument 2016 (L.I.2228).”

It said following the decision of Parliament on the proposals, some adjustments may need to be made to the 2016/2017 levels to reflect the approved levels for implementation.

The council, therefore, urged all stakeholders, including the management of public institutions, prospective and continuing students, and the public to take due notice and comply with the directive.

The chairman of the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament, Mr Mahama Ayariga, has threatened legal action should the due process of law not be followed in getting the 2017/2018 fees and charges approved by Parliament.

Parliament on recess

Getting parliamentary approval for the 2017/2018 fees and charges will not happen before universities re-open school this month because Parliament is on recess.

USAG kicks against fees

The University Students Association of Ghana (USAG) has called on all students of public tertiary institutions not to pay their recently increased fees for the 2017/2018 academic year until Parliament approves the increase.

The association said it has received numerous petitions from students over the increment in fees and is demanding the breakdown of fees so each student knows what services they are paying for.

The Fees and Charges Act 2009 (Act 793), which was amended by a legislative instrument (LI2228), 2016, seeks to safeguard the public against arbitrary and haphazard charges and levying of students by universities.

Protests over the fees began in July, with continuing students of the University of Ghana complaining about the rise in their fees for the 2017/2018 academic year.

Each year, the university increases fees based on the prevailing inflation rate, plus 2%.

The Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Professor Kwesi Yankah, recently urged the vice-chancellors of Ghana to adhere to the Fees and Charges Act 2009 (Act 793).

He noted that they had resorted to fixing fees and other levies without recourse to the law.