Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, has used the platform of Kumasi Technical University’s 70th anniversary celebration to address recent criticisms over fee increments, reaffirming the Commission’s regulatory role in Ghana’s tertiary education sector.

Speaking at the milestone event, Prof. Jinapor tackled accusations of overreach within the tertiary education space, particularly in relation to a publicly funded university that was directed to reverse a 100–200% fee increase.

“More instructive is the coincidence of GTEC asking a publicly funded university to reverse a fee increase of some 100-200% because approval had not been granted by the statutorily mandated bodies of the state, and a union of the same institution calling for our heads,” he explained.

He emphasised that calls for his resignation and claims of incompetence came without allowing him or his deputy to respond to these allegations.

“In recent times, some colleagues in the tertiary education delivery landscape described my deputy and me as incompetent, asking us to resign for ‘overreaching’ powers. The irony here, Mr. Chairman, is that we were never given the chance to respond either in person or in writing,” he said.

Reassuring KsTU’s governing council, the GTEC boss stressed that the Commission’s actions are meant to ensure compliance with established procedures rather than undermine institutional authority.

“GTEC does not intend to usurp your powers as a council, nor do we see ourselves as adversaries in the dispensation of your legal responsibilities as the highest decision-making body of this institution. The Commission recognizes and respects your enviable position and will do everything to protect it,” he added.

Prof. Jinapor further highlighted GTEC’s commitment to collaboration, noting that the Commission works closely with stakeholders across the tertiary education sector, including UTAG, TUTAG, GAUA, TUSAG, TEWU, FUSSAG, Vice Chancellors, SRC, parents, and other key players through dialogue aimed at strengthening governance, transparency, and accountability.

“While at this, Mr. Chairman, I want to publicly commend and applaud VCG-TU for their very mature intervention during this period of seeming upheaval. That said, as we return to our 70th anniversary celebration, let us also take a moment for deep introspection. Reflect on the mission that brought us here: to provide quality teaching, learning, and research in engineering, science, technology, and entrepreneurship to promote industrial development in Ghana,” he concluded.

The remarks formed a key part of his address at the anniversary celebration, underscoring the balance between regulation, cooperation, and institutional autonomy and reinforcing GTEC’s role in shaping a robust and accountable tertiary education sector in Ghana.