The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has closed down 149 Open and Distance Learning Institutions operating without proper authorisation and accreditation, as part of efforts to uphold quality in tertiary education.

Speaking at a two-day capacity-building workshop on Ghana’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) policy implementation strategies on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, GTEC Director-General, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, revealed that many of the affected centers were located in second-cycle schools; already grappling with the challenges of the double-track system.

“As we speak, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has flagged about 149 Distance Learning Centers. These centers are not fit for purpose. They are being run in churches, public works departments, and even electricity company offices. We cannot allow this to happen,” Prof Jinapor stated.

He emphasised that such practices undermine the essence of distance education, warning that “replicating traditional classrooms in scattered locations across the country cannot be deemed distance education.”

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Prof Jinapor further noted that while Ghana is working to promote tertiary education, “distance education seems to be replaced by distancing education,” stressing the need for proper regulation.

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The revelation by the Director General comes on the back of GTEC’s recent efforts to crackdown on the use of unearned academic titles by some individuals.

In recent times, the commission has written to several prominent individuals to either cease using their unearned academic titles or justify its use.

GA/VPO

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