The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed the University of Development Studies (UDS) to immediately stop delivering its accredited evening Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme as a weekend programme. In a letter dated October 5, 2026, GTEC ordered UDS to restore the programme to its approved evening mode of delivery. The directive was signed by Prof Augustine Ocloo, Deputy Director-General of GTEC, on behalf of the Director-General.
According to GTEC, UDS had been delivering the LLB programme in a mode that was not duly approved. The Commission noted that the university's accreditation was granted on the basis of specific academic, staffing, infrastructural, and delivery arrangements submitted by the institution and assessed by GTEC. The mode of delivery forms an integral part of the conditions under which accreditation is granted, and institutions cannot unilaterally alter it without prior written approval from GTEC.
GTEC established that students admitted to the approved evening programme were being required to migrate to the weekend mode of delivery. The Commission considers this a material departure from the conditions of accreditation and regulatory non-compliance. The alteration has implications for academic contact hours, availability of faculty, access to teaching and learning facilities, quality assurance arrangements, and the conditions under which students accepted admission into the programme.
UDS is required to ensure that all affected students are restored to the approved mode of delivery without academic or financial disadvantage. The university must also communicate GTEC's directive formally to all affected students and relevant academic and administrative units. Additionally, UDS must submit documentary evidence demonstrating full compliance with the directive within seven days.
Failure to comply with the directive within the stipulated period may result in regulatory action against the university, including suspension or withdrawal of the programme's accreditation. GTEC will not recognise the continued delivery of the LLB programme in a mode that has not been duly approved. The Commission advised UDS to treat the matter with utmost urgency and seriousness.
The directive is part of GTEC's efforts to ensure that tertiary education institutions in Ghana comply with regulatory requirements. The Commission has been monitoring the activities of institutions and taking action against those that fail to meet the required standards. Recently, GTEC flagged over 100 unrecognized institutions and directed Colleges of Education to begin 2026/2027 admissions.
UDS must take immediate action to comply with GTEC's directive and avoid any regulatory action. The university's decision to deliver the LLB programme as a weekend programme without prior approval was a breach of the conditions of accreditation. GTEC's directive aims to ensure that students receive a quality education that meets the required standards.
Key points
- GTEC directs UDS to restore LLB programme to approved evening delivery mode
- UDS must comply with directive within seven days to avoid regulatory action
- Non-compliance may result in suspension or withdrawal of programme accreditation
