Resolve GTEC Leadership Concerns Through Dialogue – PRINCOF
The National Conference of Principals of Colleges of Education, Ghana (PRINCOF), has urged calm, dialogue, and restraint following recent calls by sections of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) for the resignation or removal of the Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai and his Deputy, Prof. Augustine Ocloo.
In a statement Dr. Samuel Addae-Boateng, General Secretary of PRINCOF said it had noted the demands “with concern” and called on all parties involved to adopt a measured and reflective approach in addressing the matter.
While acknowledging the concerns raised by UTAG branches within the traditional universities, PRINCOF stated that the current posture of public ultimatums and threats of industrial action calls for sober reflection.
PRINCOF stated that the issues in question require further engagement and that the calls being made at this time warrant sober reflection.
The conference maintained that disputes relating to leadership and governance in the tertiary education sector should be addressed through constructive engagement rather than confrontation.
“We strongly advocate for resolution through dialogue and engagement rather than public ultimatums and signals of industrial action,” PRINCOF emphasised.
It further recommended that stakeholders with genuine grievances should channel them through established statutory and administrative structures, including the Ministry of Education and the GTEC Governing Board.
According to PRINCOF, these platforms offer avenues for collaborative problem-solving and help prevent the unnecessary escalation of tensions within the sector.
“The setting of deadlines and associated approaches tends to escalate tensions and risks undermining the stability of our educational institutions,” the statement cautioned.
PRINCOF also indicated that it has consistently worked with GTEC under the leadership of Prof. Jinapor Abdulai and Prof. Ocloo, describing the administration as accessible and open to engagement.
PRINCOF noted that it has consistently worked with GTEC under the leadership of Prof. Jinapor and Prof. Ocloo and has found the administration consistently open to engagement and dialogue.
The conference therefore appealed for calm among all stakeholders, stressing the need to safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s tertiary education system.
“We therefore call for cool heads to prevail. This is the time for reasoned dialogue. Let us come together as stakeholders, government, regulators and academic staff to address concerns in a manner that preserves the integrity of our tertiary education system and promotes national development,” the statement concluded.
