18/09/2026
GTEC ENGAGES STAKEHOLDERS TO STRENGTHEN GOVERNANCE AND STABILITY AT WIAWSO COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has engaged key stakeholders of the Wiawso College of Education to address longstanding concerns relating to the status, governance and administration of the College.
The stakeholder engagement was held on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, at the offices of GTEC and brought together the Director-General of the Commission, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai and some staff of GTEC, representatives of the Anglican Church led by the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Internal Province of Ghana, Archbishop Cyril Ben Smith, the Principal of the College, Prof. Emmanuel Carsamer and Chairman of the Council of Wiawso College of Education. Representatives of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council included Nana Kwabena Amoako, Nana Kwasi Gyabeng II and Nana Elluo Panyin III, as well as representatives of pressure groups, community stakeholders including Lt. Col Anthony Aduhene (Rtd), a former Minister Dr. Kwaku Afriyie and the Member of Parliament for Sefwi Wiawso, Honourable Kofi Afful Benteh.
The engagement followed concerns regarding the status and ownership of the College, as well as issues surrounding the appointment of a new Principal. GTEC provided a platform for the various stakeholders to present their perspectives, clarify areas of misunderstanding and identify practical measures for strengthening collaboration and institutional stability.
A key outcome of the engagement was a reaffirmation of the statutory character of Wiawso College of Education as a State-owned public tertiary education institution. The discussions acknowledged the historical role of the Anglican Church in the establishment and development of the College, as well as the contribution of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council, particularly in relation to land and community support.
GTEC emphasised the need to move away from competing claims of exclusive ownership and towards a shared understanding of the College's status and the respective contributions of Government, the Anglican Church and the Sefwi Wiawso community.
The engagement recognised the longstanding relationship between the Anglican Church and the College, particularly the Church's contribution to the moral and spiritual life of the institution. At the same time, stakeholders emphasised that the historical association should not exclude qualified persons from leadership positions on the basis of religious affiliation. The meeting recommended that the Anglican Church should continue to play a role in the College, alongside the Traditional Council and other relevant stakeholders.
Stakeholders were encouraged to work collaboratively in the interest of Wiawso College of Education and the wider Sefwi Wiawso community.
The meeting also briefly discussed the proposed establishment of a university for the Western North Region. The stakeholders sought the support of the Director-General of GTEC for the initiative. The Director-General indicated his willingness to assist, in consultation with the Minister for Education, provided the Anglican Church and the Traditional Council continue to coexist harmoniously.
The Commission expressed the view that the engagement provides an opportunity to move beyond competing claims and towards a more collaborative approach that promotes merit, transparency, professionalism, institutional stability and the continued development of Wiawso College of Education.
