Minister for Education Haruna Iddrisu has directed the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to immediately withdraw its controversial letter on the retirement and post-retirement engagement of university lecturers.

He stressed that the Commission must respect the existing conditions of service for academic staff.

The Minister issued the directive while commissioning a new hostel facility at Wisconsin International University College at Feyiase in the Ashanti Region.

The move follows strong concerns raised by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), whose members expressed dissatisfaction with the communication.

Mr Iddrisu reassured lecturers that the government remains fully committed to honouring the agreed conditions of service, particularly for those approaching the mandatory retirement age. He confirmed that all previously granted exemptions under the retirement policy would continue to be respected.

“A few days ago, I got a text from the President of UTAG. They were very unhappy about a letter that GTEC had forwarded to members of UTAG.

“I have asked GTEC to withdraw that letter and to respect the conditions of service of our university lecturers, particularly those who are at the mandatory retirement age,” he said.

The Education Minister further disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama had earlier approved exemptions for academic staff under the broader compulsory retirement policy.

He explained that his intervention was aimed at maintaining industrial harmony in the tertiary education sector while safeguarding the rights and agreed conditions of service of university lecturers.