The Minister of Education has confirmed that lecturers and other academic professionals above the retirement age of 60 will not be affected by the recent government decision to halt post-retirement contracts for public servants.

This reassurance follows President John Mahama’s new directive aimed at ending the practice of extending post-retirement contracts within the public service. The directive is part of a wider effort to streamline public service appointments and encourage opportunities for younger professionals.

In a press briefing on Friday, April 11,the Minister of Education Haruna Iddrisu made it clear that the academic community is not included in this policy.

“The essence of this briefing is to assure the men and women in academia that they are not affected by this decision,Faculty and faculty members should be assured that they are exempt from this directive,” he said.

He further explained that appointments for retired lecturers and academic staff will continue to go through the appropriate procedures.

“For their purposes, they will go through their councils, their public service, and appropriate institutions where necessary, for those approvals to be granted,” he said.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of clarity, especially for those in higher institutions of learning, including universities and tertiary colleges. He stressed that the academic sector plays a critical role in national development and must be supported.

“This press briefing is just to assure academia, lecturers and students that the academic community and lecturers in the universities and other higher institutions of learning in the tertiary  institutions are exempt from this directive," he said.