The Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Service has suspended three principals of technical institutes over allegations of unauthorised fee collection and extortion in breach of the government’s Free TVET Policy.
The action, according to management, is to ensure transparency, accountability and fairness in the administration of technical and vocational institutions in the country.
The principals affected are from 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.
They have since been directed to proceed on a 30-day administrative leave with immediate effect, while investigations into the alleged misconduct continue.
In the interim, all official responsibilities and assets of the three institutes 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 regular duties.
Unapproved fees
A statement issued by the Management of the Ghana TVET Service on Monday, October 27, 2025, said credible reports had revealed that the management of the three institutions were engaged in collecting unapproved fees 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 TVET Service said those practices were in clear violation of its directive on maintaining a fair and transparent admission process, and undermined the government’s Free TVET Policy, which sought to ensure equitable access to technical and vocational education for all Ghanaian students.
The management of the TVET Service has consequently constituted investigative committees to conduct thorough and impartial inquiries into the separate allegations.
The TVET Service statement said the composition of the committees would be announced in due course and that the findings would guide management in making final decisions and determining any further disciplinary measures deemed appropriate.
Zero tolerance
The Ghana TVET Service reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy on corruption, extortion and all acts that compromised 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 unauthorised fees contravened 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 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 unauthorised fee collection or extortion to the appropriate regional or national offices for prompt action.
The statement further reiterated that the Free TVET Policy remained a key pillar in the government’s efforts to provide equitable and skills-based education to young Ghanaians in line with the country’s industrialisation and employment creation agenda.
