The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has intervened and stayed action on decisions of the Governing Council of the Bolgatanga Technical University that sought to direct the Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa, to proceed on a one-year leave.
In a circular dated December 15, 2025, signed by Dr Bishop Akolgo as Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel E. Alnaa was directed to proceed on a one-year leave from December 19, 2025, to December 18, 2026.
It was explained that the directive was “in line with standard governance practice in tertiary institutions and guided by the need to create a calm atmosphere for reflection, reconciliation, and institutional healing - Council hereby directs that you proceed on your accumulated leave effective 19th December, 2025, to 18th December, 2026.
But responding, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) said directing the Vice Chancellor to proceed on a one-year leave based on some petitions received was “unprecedented and potentially problematic as that can create unforeseen negative consequences.
GTEC indicated that the office of the Vice Chancellor “was a very important office within the university architecture and directing the occupant of such an office through a circular to the university community to proceed on leave is unacceptable.”
Again, it said the referenced circular also indicated that Mr. Richard Abugre Atia, the Acting Registrar of the University, was deemed to have been appointed the substantive Registrar effective January 1, 2026.
GTEC indicated that it was “reliably informed” that Mr. Richard Abugri Atia did not meet the pass mark as set by the interview panel constituted to conduct interviews for that position.
Informed by that, the Commission has therefore directed that the two decisions reached at the emergency council meeting held on December 11, 2025, be “STAYED.”
The Commission further requested that all necessary information and documentation leading to the Vice Chancellor being asked to take his accumulated leave, and the interview report for the position of Registrar, should be presented to GTEC for study and advice on the next line of action, latest by Friday, December 19, 2025.
“In the meantime, Professor Samuel E. Alnaa remains the substantive Vice Chancellor of the Bolgatanga Technical University and is deemed to be at post until he decides to take his annual leave. Also, Mr. Richard Abugre Atia cannot assume office as Registrar until all the issues bordering on his appointment are resolved,” the GTEC letter dated December 15, 2025, signed by the Director-General, Prof Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai stated.
Attached below are full details from the GTEC letter and that of the Council Chairman of the Bolgatanga Technical University
STAY OF ACTION ON DECISIONS OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE BOLGATANGA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
The attention of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has been drawn to a circular dated 15th December, 2025 addressed to the University Community emanating from the office of the Council Chairman on the above subject.
In the said circular, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university is directed to take his accumulated leave informed by some petitions received at the university. Sir, the Commission finds this directive unprecedented and potentially problematic as that can create unforeseen negative consequences. This is because, the office of the Vice Chancellor is a very important office within the university architecture and directing the occupant of such an office through a circular to the university community to proceed on leave is unacceptable.
Again, in the referenced circular, Mr. Richard Abugre Atia, the Acting Registrar of the University, is deemed to have been appointed the substantive Registrar effective 1st January, 2026. Sir, GTEC is reliably informed that Mr. Richard Abugri Atia did not make the pass mark as set by the interview panel constituted to conduct interviews for that position.
Informed by the above, the Commission hereby directs that the two decisions reached at the emergency council meeting held on the 11th of December, 2025 be STAYED. The Commission further requests that all necessary information and documentation leading to the Vice Chancellor being asked to take his accumulated leave, and the interview report for the position of Registrar, should be presented to GTEC for study and advice on the next line of action latest by Friday, 19th December, 2025.
In the meantime, Professor Samuel E. Alnaa remains the substantive Vice Chancellor of the Bolgatanga Technical University and is deemed to be at post until he decides to take his annual leave. Also, Mr. Richard Abugre Atia cannot assume office as Registrar until all the issues bordering on his appointment are resolved.
Yours faithfully,
Prof Ahmed Jinapor AbdulaiDear Prof Alnaa.
DIRECTIVE TO PROCEED ON ACCUMULATED LEAVEThe Governing Council at its meeting held on 11th December, 2025 considered matters relating to institutional stability, staff morale, and the ongoing efforts to restore a peaceful and conducive environment for academic work and administrative operations.
Council also reviewed your accumulated annual leave entitlement since your appointment in May, 2018 to date which has thus accrued a one-year leave in accordance with the provisions of the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 65l) and the University's Human Resource Policy.
In line with standard governance practice in tertiary institutions and guided by the need to create a calm atmosphere for reflection, reconciliation, and institutional healing, Council hereby directs that you proceed on your accumulated leave effective 19th December 2025 to 18th December 2026.
The purpose of this leave period is to:
- Allow you the opportunity for well-deserved rest and reflection;
- Provide space for ongoing peace and reconciliation processes to take root;
- Enhance confidence-building measures across the University community.
During your leave, the Pro Vice Chancellor shall act in accordance with the University Statutes.
We appreciate your service to the University and trust that this intervention will contribute positively to our collective objective of ensuring harmony, restoring confidence, and promoting the stability required for the University's transformational agenda.
We count on your cooperation.
Respectfully,
Dr Bishop Akolgo
Chairman, Governing Council
