UTAG-KNUST opposes proposed GTEC harmonisation of university promotion guidelines

The University Teachers Association of Ghana chapter at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has expressed strong opposition to a proposal by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to harmonise promotion criteria for academic staff across public universities.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, through the UTAG National Secretariat, the association argued that the proposal was introduced without sufficient consultation with key stakeholders.

UTAG-KNUST questioned GTEC’s claim that differences in promotion standards across universities require harmonisation, insisting that public universities were intentionally established with unique mandates, governance structures and academic cultures.

According to the association, imposing uniform promotion guidelines could undermine institutional autonomy and weaken the distinct identities of universities.

The association also argued that GTEC should focus on addressing broader challenges facing higher education, including inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages, laboratory constraints and student-to-teacher ratios, rather than standardising promotion systems.

UTAG-KNUST further indicated that its members would be reluctant to support the implementation of the proposed framework unless existing disparities in resources and institutional capacity across universities are addressed.

The association maintains that current governance structures already provide universities with the autonomy needed to manage their academic affairs and promotion processes effectively.