Public universities in Ghana have been directed to commence lectures on Monday, October 19, 2026, as the government moves to restore academic activities amid an ongoing industrial dispute involving university administrators and other education-sector workers.
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), in a directive issued on October 13, instructed all public universities to reopen their campuses by Friday, October 16, for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The directive, addressed to vice-chancellors, requires university governing councils and management teams to ensure that academic activities begin as scheduled, regardless of earlier decisions to postpone reopening.
“Governing Councils and Management of all public universities shall ensure that academic activities, particularly lectures, commence without fail on Monday, 19th October 2026, in accordance with their respective academic arrangements.”
The Commission acknowledged the administrative challenges arising from the industrial action involving the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA) and TUSAAG, but said the continued suspension of academic activities had wider implications.
It cited the effects on students’ academic progress, university operations, the delivery of tertiary education nationally and international academic partnerships.
Beyond setting the reopening and lecture dates, GTEC has directed university managements to ensure that essential facilities are ready to receive students.
The directive requires halls of residence, academic libraries, departmental registration desks and other student-support facilities to be fully staffed and operational by Thursday, October 15.
The measure is intended to facilitate student registration and ensure the smooth resumption of academic activities.
GTEC also called on members of GAUA to resume their administrative duties while negotiations with the government continue.
The Commission said the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance and Fair Wages and Salaries Commission had initiated engagements with GAUA’s leadership to resolve outstanding grievances.
It stated that the government was pursuing a resolution through collaborative efforts, while insisting that public universities comply with the reopening timetable.
