The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has closed down 149 open distance learning institutions found to be operating without the necessary authorisation and accreditation.
According to GTEC, most of the affected centres were located within second-cycle schools already struggling under the double-track system, while others were operating in unsuitable facilities.
Director-General of GTEC, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, speaking at a two-day capacity-building workshop on Ghana’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) policy implementation strategies on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, described the operations of these centres as a threat to quality education.
“As we speak, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has flagged down about 149 distance learning centres. These centres are unfit for purpose. They are being run in churches, public works departments, and even electricity company offices. We cannot allow this to happen,” he stated.
Prof. Jinapor cautioned that such practices undermine the essence of distance education, stressing the need for adherence to standards.
“Ghana has been working hard to promote tertiary education, but unfortunately, distance education seems to be replaced by distancing education. Replicating traditional classrooms in scattered locations across the country cannot be deemed distance education,” he added.
Meanwhile, Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, a Commonwealth consultant on the ODL policy, called for a clear national consensus on what qualifies as open distance learning and the appropriate implementation framework.
GTEC reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regulation and quality assurance in tertiary education delivery across Ghana, assuring that only properly accredited institutions will be allowed to operate.
