What GATF said about GTEC boss

A pressure group calling itself the Governance, Accountability and Transparency Forum (GATF) has thrown its weight behind the University Teachers’ Association of Ghana, University of Ghana Branch (UTAG–UG) in demanding the immediate removal of Prof Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

In a series of press statements, GATF accused the GTEC Director-General of persistent regulatory failures, selective application of authority, abuse of office, and conflicts of interest.

According to the group, the concerns stem largely from GTEC’s handling of issues related to the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU).

GATF specifically accused Prof Jinapor Abdulai of failing to act on complaints involving Vera Graham Asante, whom the group alleges has been using the academic title “Doctor” after obtaining a degree in 2021 from an institution that was neither accredited nor recognised by GTEC at the time.

The group claims that despite formal petitions and documentary evidence submitted to the Commission, GTEC has failed to issue any public determination, withdrawal notice, or enforcement directive on the matter.

GATF described the alleged inaction as gross dereliction of duty, regulatory capture, and a clear conflict of interest.

The group further alleged that the programme completed by Asante does not meet Ghana’s doctoral standards and contravenes GTEC’s policies on unaccredited qualifications.

They expressed concern over reports suggesting that Prof Jinapor Abdulai allegedly treated the qualification as a “PhD equivalent,” a move GATF says undermines academic standards and constitutes an abuse of office.

GATF also referenced alleged close communication between Asante, Prof Jinapor Abdulai, and other officials of GCTU, raising questions about the impartiality and ethical governance of the Commission.

The group warned that failure to address these concerns could further erode the integrity of Ghana’s higher education system.

Speaking in an interview on As It Is in Ghana on Rainbow Radio (87.5 FM Ghana / 92.4 FM UK), a key member of the group, Professor Kester Quist-Aphetsi, described as a global expert in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, stressed that the call for removal is not politically motivated.

“We have strong evidence to support all the allegations we have levelled against him,” Prof Quist-Aphetsi stated.

He pointed to what he described as irony in the situation, alleging that while the GTEC Director-General has pursued others for holding unrecognised qualifications, he is now accused of applying the rules inconsistently.

Prof Quist-Aphetsi also questioned the legitimacy of Prof Jinapor Abdulai’s own professorial status.

He concluded by accusing the Director-General of creating “chaos and confusion” within the academic sector through selective enforcement of regulations.

“He is not applying the rules equally across the board,” he said, adding that the group possesses sufficient evidence to substantiate its claims.