TVET Service suspends 3 principals for collecting illegal fees on boarding protocols, bedsheet, fashion and PTA dues
The Ghana TVET Service has suspended three principals of technical institutes over allegations of collecting illegal fees and extorting monies from students and their parents.
They are the principals for the Agona Swedru Technical Institute in the Central Region, the Sunyani Technical Institute in the Bono Region, and the Madina Technical Institute in the Greater Accra Region.
Their actions are against the Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service Free TVET Policy.
They have therefore been directed to proceed on 30 days' administrative leave with immediate effect, while investigations into the alleged misconduct continue.
The action, according to management of TVET, is to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in the administration of technical and vocational institutions across the country.
Unapproved Fees
A statement issued by the management of the Ghana TVET Service dated October 27, 2025, indicated that credible reports revealed the three institutions were engaged in the collection of unapproved charges from students and parents.
The unauthorised fees included admission charges, boarding protocol fees, payments for changing residential status from day to boarding, fashion practical item fees, bedsheet payments, and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) related charges.
The Service said that these practices were in clear violation of its directive on maintaining a fair and transparent admission process and undermine the government’s Free TVET Policy, which seeks to ensure equitable access to technical and vocational education for all Ghanaian students.
Committee to investigate
The management of the TVET Service has constituted investigative committees to conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry into the allegations.
According to the statement, the composition of the committees will be announced in due course, and their findings will guide management in making final determinations and deciding on any further disciplinary measures deemed appropriate.
Meanwhile, all official responsibilities and assets have been handed over to the respective Regional Directors of the Service, who will oversee the day-to-day administration of the affected institutions in addition to their normal duties.
Zero tolerance
The Ghana TVET Service reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on corruption, extortion, and all acts that compromise the integrity of the TVET system.
“Management remains resolute in upholding accountability, transparency, and fairness in the management of Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions across Ghana,” the statement said.
It also reminded heads of institutions and staff of the Service that the collection of unauthorized fees contravenes the principles of the Free TVET Policy and warned that appropriate sanctions would be applied against any official found culpable.
Assurance
The Service assured parents, students, and the general public of its continued commitment to protecting the integrity of the admission process and maintaining professionalism within the TVET sector.
It also encouraged the public to report any instances of unauthorized fee collection or extortion to the appropriate regional or national offices for prompt action.
The statement further reiterated that the Free TVET Policy remains a key pillar in the government’s efforts to provide equitable and skills-based education to young Ghanaians, in line with the country’s industrialization and employment creation agenda.
They are said to have collected illegal admission charges, fees said to be for boarding protocols, fashion related fees, fees for bedsheet, and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) dues.
