#High Court in Adentan Quashes GTEC Directive on UNEM Degrees, Cites Lack of Due Process
*ACCRA, June 14, 2026* – The High Court in Adentan has set aside a directive by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) that sought to derecognise degrees awarded by Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica (UNEM), ruling that the regulator acted unlawfully.
What the court decide
In its judgment, the court held that GTEC failed to follow due process before issuing the directive. The judge ruled that affected degree holders were not given a fair hearing and that the commission’s action did not comply with administrative law requirements. The court therefore quashed the directive.
Background
GTEC had earlier issued a public notice questioning the recognition status of degrees from UNEM, a Costa Rica-based institution. The notice advised public institutions and employers to be cautious in accepting such qualifications. Several Ghanaians with UNEM degrees challenged the directive in court, arguing it damaged their careers and reputations without prior engagement.
Legal implications
The ruling reinforces a key principle in Ghana’s *1992 Constitution, Article 23*: administrative bodies must act fairly, reasonably, and comply with due process. Legal experts say the decision does not automatically validate all UNEM degrees, but it means GTEC must follow proper procedure — including notice and a right to be heard — before derecognising any qualification.
What happens next
The court’s decision means the GTEC directive is no longer in effect. GTEC can still review the status of foreign qualifications, but it must do so through a process that meets legal standards. The Commission has not yet issued a public response to the judgment as of press time.
The High Court did not rule on the academic quality of UNEM degrees. It ruled on procedure. Regulators must follow due process before taking action that affects citizens’ rights and livelihoods.