The National Service Authority (NSA) has announced that it is currently unable to deploy graduates from 13 tertiary institutions for national service after the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) informed the Authority that the institutions do not currently have accredited status.

According to a press release issued on Tuesday, August 11, the decision follows a verification exercise undertaken by GTEC at the request of the NSA.

The Authority said the verification was prompted by requests from tertiary institutions seeking the deployment of their graduating students for national service.

The development affects prospective National Service Personnel (NSPs) whose names have been submitted for deployment through the institutions concerned.

The NSA said it had sought confirmation from GTEC on the accreditation status of the institutions before proceeding with the deployment of their graduates.

Following the verification, GTEC informed the Authority that the 13 institutions do not currently have accredited status.

13 institutions named

The institutions identified by the NSA are:

1. Multimedia Institute of Ghana
2. Abbeam Institute of Technology
3. Star College of Communication
4. Standard College of Technology
5. Institute of Commercial Management, UK
6. Christ Apostolic University College
7. Oxford Institute of Business and Journalism
8. Heaf Professional Colleges
9. NIIT Open Labs Ghana
10. Community University College, Takoradi
11. SS Peter and Paul Pastoral and Social Institute
12. Adonai University College of Research and Entrepreneurship
13. College of Tropical Agriculture

The NSA stressed that the list reflects the accreditation information communicated to it by GTEC following the verification exercise.

As a result of the accreditation status communicated by GTEC, the NSA said it is unable to deploy graduates submitted by the affected institutions for national service at this time.

The Authority said its decision is based specifically on accreditation information received from GTEC, which it described as the statutory body responsible for regulating and accrediting tertiary education institutions in Ghana.

However, the Authority indicated that the situation is not necessarily permanent for the affected graduates.

The NSA said graduates from the affected institutions may be considered for national service deployment once their respective institutions resolve their accreditation issues with GTEC.

A further condition is that GTEC must formally communicate confirmation of the institutions' accredited status to the NSA.

Once such confirmation is received, the Authority said it will take the necessary steps to facilitate the processing and deployment of eligible graduates from the affected institutions.

Any subsequent deployment, however, will remain subject to the applicable requirements for national service.

The statement therefore places the immediate responsibility on the affected institutions to engage with GTEC and address whatever accreditation matters have prevented them from being recognised as accredited for the purpose of the deployment process.

The Authority has encouraged all affected institutions to engage directly with GTEC to address and regularise their accreditation status.

It has also advised prospective National Service Personnel from the institutions to liaise with their respective schools to establish the current position regarding their accreditation.

The graduates have further been advised to await official communication from the NSA following any confirmation that may be received from GTEC.

The guidance is intended to ensure that affected graduates rely on formal information from the relevant institutions and authorities as the accreditation process progresses.

Despite the immediate inability to deploy the affected graduates, the NSA said it remains committed to ensuring that eligible graduates are given the opportunity to undertake national service.

The Authority said that, once the relevant institutions regularise their accreditation status and GTEC formally confirms this to the NSA, it will take the necessary steps to facilitate the processing and deployment of eligible graduates.

"The Authority will continue to work closely with GTEC and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that only graduates from duly accredited tertiary education institutions are mobilised for national service, while providing a pathway for eligible graduates whose institutions subsequently regularise their accreditation status," the statement concluded.