The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed a stay of two key decisions taken by the Governing Council of the Bolgatanga Technical University, citing concerns over procedure and potential institutional implications.
A letter signed by Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, the Director-General of GTEC, said its attention had been drawn to a circular dated December 15, 2025, issued by the Chairman of the University’s Governing Council and addressed to the university community.
According to GTEC, the circular directed the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Samuel E. Alnaa, to proceed on his accumulated annual leave following petitions received at the institution.
The Commission described the directive as “unprecedented and potentially problematic,” noting that the Office of the Vice-Chancellor is a critical position within the university’s governance structure and that directing its occupant to proceed on leave through a circular to the entire university community is unacceptable.
The Commission also raised concerns about a second decision contained in the same circular, which deemed the Acting Registrar, Mr. Richard Abugre Atia, as having been appointed substantive Registrar with effect from January 1, 2026.
GTEC said it had been reliably informed that Mr. Atia did not attain the pass mark set by the interview panel constituted to conduct interviews for the Registrar position.
On the basis of these concerns, GTEC directed that the two decisions reached at an emergency Governing Council meeting held on December 11, 2025, be stayed.
The Commission further requested that all relevant information and documentation leading to the directive for the Vice-Chancellor to take his accumulated leave, as well as the interview report for the position of Registrar, be submitted to GTEC for review and advice on the next line of action by Friday, December 19, 2025.
“In the meantime, Professor Samuel E. Alnaa remains the substantive Vice-Chancellor of the Bolgatanga Technical University and is deemed to be at post until he decides to take his annual leave,” the letter stated. GTEC added that Mr. Richard Abugre Atia cannot assume office as Registrar until all issues surrounding his appointment are fully resolved.
The GTEC directive follows an earlier letter from the Governing Council of the University, signed by its Chairman, Dr Bishop Akolgo, which instructed Professor Alnaa to proceed on his accumulated annual leave from December 19, 2025, to December 18, 2026.
In that letter, the Council said its decision was informed by considerations relating to institutional stability, staff morale, and efforts to restore a peaceful and conducive environment for academic and administrative work. The Council indicated that a review of Professor Alnaa’s accumulated leave since his appointment in May 2018 showed that he had accrued one year of leave in line with the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) and the University’s Human Resource Policy.
According to the Council, the leave was intended to allow the Vice-Chancellor time for rest and reflection, provide space for peace and reconciliation processes, and enhance confidence-building across the university community. It further stated that the Pro Vice-Chancellor would act during the period of leave in accordance with the University’s statutes.
However, with GTEC’s latest intervention, the implementation of the Council’s decisions has been suspended pending further review and guidance from the Commission.
