UDS faces questions over alleged collection of unapproved levies from students

The University for Development Studies (UDS) is facing questions after reports emerged that its School of Business in Tamale has been collecting levies from students without Parliamentary approval as required by law.

The charges, introduced in 2024, include a GH¢150 Development Levy and a GH¢300 Industrial Attachment Support Levy, which were reportedly backed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the School of Business and the then leadership of the Business Students Association (BUSA).

Under the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 (Act 1080), public tertiary institutions are required to secure Parliamentary approval before introducing new fees or charges.

According to the reported terms of the agreement, the Development Levy is intended to fund projects and initiatives within the school, while the Industrial Attachment Support Levy is meant to support supervision, placement coordination, assessment, and documentation for students undertaking industrial attachment.

However, students have raised concerns that they already pay approved academic fees covering similar activities, including the Third Trimester Field Practical Programme fee.

Several students who spoke anonymously said the levies have placed additional financial pressure on them, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. Some said their families were unaware of the extra charges because the levies were not part of the official fee structure at the time of admission.

Others also alleged that students who fail to settle the charges risk being denied graduation clearance.

In January this year, student representatives reportedly petitioned the Dean of the School of Business, appealing for a reduction in the GH¢300 industrial attachment levy, but say no favourable response has been received.

The matter is also reported to affect other faculties within the university, with claims that some academic units have introduced similar internal charges over the years.

Reacting to the issue, UDS Director of Public Affairs Abdul-Hayi Moomen confirmed the levies are being collected and said they were introduced after consultations with student leaders through an MoU.

He maintained that some faculties across the university impose internal service levies to support academic and administrative activities not fully covered by approved tuition and facility fees.

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), however, says all fees and levies introduced by public universities must comply with the Fees and Charges Act.

GTEC says it has not yet received an official complaint on the matter but would investigate and order refunds if any breaches are established.

The development has renewed concerns over student welfare and compliance with fee regulations in Ghana’s public universities.