By GATF – Governance, Accountability and Transparency Forum
Ghana’s tertiary education sector has been rocked by a growing storm of allegations pointing to systemic fraud, student exploitation, and regulatory negligence under the leadership of Dr. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). A coalition of academics and governance advocates , the Governance, Accountability and Transparency Forum (GATF) is now calling for his immediate suspension and a full-scale national investigation.
The accusations, documented in a detailed petition and supported by leaked records, testimonies, and internal correspondence, paint a picture of a regulator that has failed catastrophically in its mandate, enabling abuses at Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) and beyond.
A Regulator That Looked Away: Grade Manipulation, Disappearing Records, and Silent Cover-Ups
For years, students at GCTU have reported irregular grade changes, altered transcripts, missing academic records, and unexplained academic penalties. Despite receiving multiple petitions and formal complaints, GTEC ,under Dr. Jinapor’s leadership , allegedly ignored the reports, allowing the abuses to fester.
Students describe a climate of fear where those who question discrepancies are threatened, harassed, or punished, while officials implicated in wrongdoing enjoy protection from the very regulator meant to hold them accountable.
In one case, a graduate was reportedly told years after completing school that a “missing grade” must be paid for before their certificate could be validated , a pattern many students say they have endured.
A University Run Like a Private Kiosk: Allegations of Extortion and Grade-Buying
The situation at GCTU is described as nothing short of institutionalized exploitation.
Among the most disturbing allegations:
- Grade-buying schemes allegedly involving elements of the SRC
- Financial extortion, including students being forced to pay fees multiple times
- Threats to revoke certificates unless students “repay” disputed fees
- International students scammed, then forced to pay again
- Administrative cover-ups allegedly involving senior officials
One former SRC President , publicly celebrated by the university , is accused of running a grade manipulation and extortion racket. He was reportedly arrested by police, only for the case to be suppressed internally after the Dean of Students refunded the extorted money on the spot to halt prosecution.
This, GATF argues, is not misconduct , it is criminality protected by the institution.
The MP Scandal: Political Sensitivity and Alleged Certificate Irregularities
A particularly explosive allegation involves Hon. Alex Blankson, a former Member of Parliament.
According to the petition:
- The MP allegedly obtained academic credentials through irregular processes
- The case was handled in secrecy due to its political sensitivity
- KNUST was reportedly misled into processing the certificate
- Security agencies were aware but Parliament did not act
- Senior staff involved are now battling related issues in court
The scandal only surfaced after media exposure, yet GTEC , despite being formally notified , allegedly took no action.
GTEC’s Double Standards: Punish Students, Protect Institutions
Critics argue that GTEC has adopted a pattern of punishing victims while shielding institutions.
For example:
- GTEC previously allowed unaccredited satellite campuses to operate freely
- Students invested years of study
- Only after graduation did GTEC declare their certificates invalid
Rather than holding universities accountable for running illegal programs, GTEC allegedly shifted the consequences onto innocent students.
This, GATF says, is “administrative theatre masquerading as regulation.”
Financial Mismanagement and Audit Evasion
Beyond academic fraud, GCTU is accused of:
- Wasting over 80 million cedis annually
- Dodging audits
- Engaging in questionable promotions and procurement practices
- Allowing staff to exploit foreign students
Yet GTEC , fully aware of these issues , has allegedly remained silent.
Demands for Accountability: A National Emergency in Higher Education
GATF is calling for sweeping action, including:
- Immediate suspension of Dr. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai
- A national and international investigative panel
- Public release of all GTEC audit reports
- Suspension of all GCTU officials implicated in fraud
- Criminal investigations into grade-buying and extortion networks
- Protection for whistleblowers
- Restitution for affected students
- A full forensic audit of GCTU
- Sanctions against officials — not students
The group warns that if action is not taken, more evidence ,including recordings, documents, and testimonies , will be released publicly and internationally.
A System on the Brink
The allegations collectively point to a collapse of regulatory integrity at GTEC and a culture of impunity at GCTU.
As GATF puts it:
“Ghana’s universities are national assets, not criminal enterprises.
Regulation is a sacred public trust, not a protection racket.”
The petitioners insist that Ghana’s tertiary education system cannot survive on silence, intimidation, or cover-ups. Only truth, justice, and decisive leadership change can restore credibility.
The ball is now in the court of the President, Parliament, the Ministry of Education, and law enforcement.
The country waits.
