GTEC bans mandatory entrance exams for tertiary admissions in Ghana

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed all tertiary education institutions across the country to stop making entrance examinations a compulsory requirement for admission, describing the practice as inconsistent with Ghana's approved admissions framework.

The directive, contained in a circular dated July 20, 2026, aims to promote fairness, transparency and equal access to tertiary education while ensuring that institutions comply with the country's established admission policies.

GTEC raises concerns over admission practices.

In the circular signed by GTEC Director-General, Professor Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, and circulated to all tertiary institutions, the Commission expressed concern that some universities and colleges had begun requiring prospective students to pass entrance examinations before being considered for admission.

According to GTEC, the practice effectively replaces or overrides the nationally approved minimum entry requirements based on the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The Commission stressed that such admission procedures are inconsistent with Ghana's national admissions policy and could undermine equal access to higher education.

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"The Commission has noted with concern that some tertiary institutions are introducing entrance examinations that operate as preconditions for admission, effectively bypassing or superseding the minimum entry requirements based on WASSCE results. This practice is inconsistent with the national admissions framework and undermines equitable access to tertiary education," GTEC stated.

WASSCE remains the primary admission requirement.

GTEC reiterated that WASSCE results remain the principal qualification for admission into accredited tertiary institutions in Ghana.

The Commission instructed the heads of all universities, colleges and other tertiary institutions to ensure that admissions are based on the prescribed minimum entry requirements approved under the national admissions framework.

While institutions may conduct entrance assessments in certain circumstances, GTEC clarified that such examinations must only serve as supplementary assessment tools for highly competitive programmes and should not become mandatory conditions for admission.

Institutions ordered to withdraw admission notices

As part of the directive, GTEC instructed any institution that has already issued—or intends to issue—admission notices requiring entrance examinations as a compulsory condition to immediately withdraw those notices.

The Commission urged affected institutions to revise their admission procedures to align with the country's existing regulatory framework.

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"The Commission respectfully requests that any institution which has issued, or intends to issue, admission notices requiring entrance examinations as a precondition for admission withdraw such notices and align its admission processes with the applicable regulatory framework," the statement added.

GTEC cites a legal mandate.

The Commission reminded tertiary institutions that it has the legal authority to regulate admission policies under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023).

Under the law, GTEC is responsible for developing and implementing policies governing admission requirements for tertiary education institutions across Ghana.

The Commission emphasised that all institutions are expected to comply with the approved admissions framework to ensure fairness, transparency and equal opportunities for all qualified applicants.

The directive aims to protect equal access to higher education.

GTEC said the latest directive is intended to preserve the integrity of Ghana's tertiary admissions system by ensuring that students are assessed using nationally approved criteria.

By reaffirming WASSCE as the primary basis for admission, the Commission hopes to eliminate barriers that could unfairly disadvantage prospective students and promote a more equitable and transparent higher education system across the country.