More than 800 students have been left stranded after the Ghana Tertiary Education Council (GTEC) ordered the immediate closure of the Royal Nursing College at Tafo Nyhiaeso in the Ashanti Region.
The decision follows what GTEC describes as the institution’s failure to provide valid documentation confirming its accreditation status. According to the Council, the college lacks the required accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana and ignored a directive issued in June 2024 instructing management to halt the admission of new students.
Officials from GTEC conducted an inspection of the campus on Thursday, 19 February. After an hour-long assessment, the Council announced the closure of the institution with immediate effect.
The regulatory body stated that allowing the college to continue operating without proper registration posed serious risks to programme administration and academic standards. GTEC emphasised that the action was necessary to protect students and ensure strict compliance with Ghana’s tertiary education laws.
The sudden shutdown reportedly caused shock and distress among students, many of whom had recently paid their academic fees. Eyewitness accounts indicated that some students were seen in tears on campus as news of the closure spread.
For many affected learners, the uncertainty surrounding their academic future has become a pressing concern. With over 800 students enrolled, the scale of disruption is significant.
GTEC has, however, indicated that steps will be taken to minimise the impact. According to the Council, arrangements will be made to transfer affected students to properly accredited institutions. Special provisions are also expected to allow final-year students to complete their programmes without losing academic progress.
During the enforcement operation, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) accompanied GTEC officials to the premises. Reports indicate that the wife of the institution’s owner and some members of management were taken in by CID officers as part of ongoing investigations.
While the full details of the investigation remain unclear, authorities have stressed that operating an educational institution without proper accreditation constitutes a serious regulatory breach.
GTEC has reiterated its commitment to upholding academic standards across the country. The Council warned that any tertiary institution found operating without valid accreditation or in defiance of regulatory directives will face strict enforcement measures.
The closure of Royal Nursing College serves as a cautionary example within Ghana’s higher education sector. Regulatory authorities say their priority remains the protection of student welfare and the preservation of quality standards in professional training programmes, particularly in critical fields such as nursing.
As arrangements for student transfers unfold, the incident has renewed attention on the importance of verifying institutional accreditation before enrolment — a reminder of the vital role oversight bodies play in safeguarding Ghana’s education system.
