The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed the management of Royal Nursing College in Tafo Nhyiaeso, Kumasi, to refund all fees collected from Level 100 and 200 students following the institution’s closure over regulatory breaches.

According to a post shared on Thursday, March 19, the directive forms part of a broader update issued by the Commission after the college was shut down on February 19, 2026 due to what authorities described as significant irregularities and anomalies in its operations.

In a bid to address the fallout, GTEC held a high-level meeting on March 11, with officials from the University of Cape Coast (UCC), the institution’s affiliate university, to determine the status of students and the future of the college.

• READ ALSO: Over 800 trainees stranded as GTEC shuts down Royal Nursing College

Central to the Commission’s decision is the status of students in Levels 100 and 200. According to GTEC, UCC has no official record of these students, indicating that they were neither properly admitted nor formally matriculated.

The Commission explained that the students were enrolled at a time when the college had already lost its accreditation and had been instructed to cease admitting new entrants. As a result, they are not recognised within Ghana’s tertiary education system.

In light of this, GTEC has ordered the college to refund all fees paid by the affected students, a move aimed at providing some relief to those impacted by the institution’s irregular admissions process.

The situation has been compounded by the suspension of the college’s affiliation with UCC. This follows the withdrawal of its operating licence by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana (N&MC) and the revocation of its accreditation by GTEC.

These actions collectively render the college unable to operate legally, with the Commission reiterating that its earlier directive to close the institution remains firmly in force.

While lower-level students face uncertainty, a possible pathway has been outlined for those in Level 300. UCC is expected to conduct a comprehensive audit of these students and will absorb only those who meet the prescribed entry requirements.

"UCC will conduct an audit of all students currently in Level 300 and will absorb only those who meet the prescribed entry requirements."

This measure is intended to ensure that academic standards are upheld while offering eligible students an opportunity to continue their education.

• READ ALSO: GTEC orders immediate closure of Royal Nursing College over expired accreditation

GTEC further disclosed that members of the college’s management who were arrested during inspections for breaching regulatory directives have been processed for prosecution, highlighting the seriousness of the violations.

The Commission has also urged the public to verify the accreditation status of tertiary institutions and their programmes before enrolling, warning that failure to do so could expose students to similar risks.

"The general public is advised to verify the accreditation status of tertiary institutions and their programmes with GTEC before seeking admission."

Reaffirming its mandate, GTEC stated that it remains committed to ensuring quality, integrity and order within the tertiary education sector in Ghana.

"GTEC remains committed to ensuring quality, integrity, and order within the tertiary education sector," the statement concluded.