The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed the management of Royal Nursing College to refund all fees paid by Level 100 and Level 200 students following the institution’s closure over serious regulatory breaches.
The directive, issued on March 19, 2026, comes after authorities uncovered significant irregularities in the operations of the college, which had already been shut down a month earlier.
Students Not Recognised by Affiliate University
According to GTEC, consultations with University of Cape Coast (UCC), the institution’s affiliate university, revealed that Level 100 and 200 students were not officially recognised within the tertiary education system.
The Commission explained that these students were admitted at a time when the college had already lost its accreditation and had been instructed to stop admitting new entrants. As a result, their admissions were deemed invalid.
Refund Directive to Provide Relief
In response to the situation, GTEC has ordered the immediate refund of all fees paid by the affected students to mitigate the financial burden caused by the institution’s non-compliance.
The move is intended to offer some relief to hundreds of students who now face uncertainty about their academic future due to what regulators describe as unlawful admissions practices.
Accreditation Revoked, Affiliation Terminated
The crisis at the college deepened after its accreditation was revoked by GTEC and its operating licence withdrawn by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana.
Subsequently, UCC terminated its affiliation with the college, effectively stripping it of the legal authority to operate as a tertiary institution in Ghana.
Pathway for Continuing Students
While Level 100 and 200 students face refund arrangements, GTEC indicated that Level 300 students may still have a pathway to continue their education.
UCC is expected to conduct a comprehensive audit of these students and absorb only those who meet the required admission criteria, ensuring that academic standards are maintained.
Enforcement and Legal Action
GTEC also disclosed that some members of the college’s management have been arrested and are being processed for prosecution for defying regulatory directives.
The Commission reaffirmed that the closure of the institution remains in force and warned that enforcement measures will continue against institutions that violate accreditation rules.
Public Advisory
The Commission has urged prospective students and the general public to verify the accreditation status of tertiary institutions before enrolling to avoid similar situations.
GTEC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding quality, integrity, and accountability within Ghana’s tertiary education sector.
The directive to refund fees underscores the growing regulatory crackdown on non-compliant institutions in Ghana’s education sector. While it offers some financial relief to affected students, the incident highlights the critical importance of due diligence when selecting accredited tertiary institutions.
