The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has released a new official circular, dated October 20, 2025, exposing a list of 50 unrecognised tertiary institutions that are either operating within Ghana or aggressively targeting Ghanaian students online and through affiliate campuses.

The latest directive, which has been sent to all heads of tertiary institutions across the country, forms part of GTEC’s intensified efforts to protect the integrity of the higher education system and curb the proliferation of unaccredited degree mills—both locally and internationally.

According to the Commission’s findings, these institutions—spanning 18 different countries—have failed to meet the legal standards of accreditation and quality assurance required by Ghanaian law.

The United States alone accounts for 23 of the 50 unrecognised universities, representing nearly 46 percent of the entire list.

Other countries with entries include India, Switzerland, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Ghana itself.

A Global Web of Questionable Institutions

The list features a wide range of names that appear credible but have no official academic recognition.

Among them are Breyer State Theology University (USA), Osiri University (USA), Universidad Azteca (Mexico), Selinus University of Sciences and Literature (Italy), and Monarch Business School (Switzerland).

Within Ghana, GTEC flagged institutions such as Debest College of Science, Arts and Business, Faith University Seminary, Doxa Open University, and Quest International University—all of which, according to the Commission, are not recognised to operate or issue accredited academic awards.

Other questionable names include Washington University of Barbados (Barbados), London Academy of Technology and Management (UK), Tech Global University (Andorra), Swiss Management Centre University (Switzerland), and Trinity Graduate School of Apologetics and Theology (India).

GTEC’s Official Warning

In the circular signed by GTEC’s management, the Commission cautioned:

“The institutions listed below are currently not recognized by the Commission due to various Accreditation and Quality Assurance breaches. We hope you treat this caution with the seriousness it deserves in your dealings with them.”

GTEC urged both students and tertiary administrators to exercise due diligence before engaging with any local or foreign university, particularly those offering online courses or distance-learning programs that promise quick degrees.

The Commission has also warned that institutions found collaborating with any of the unaccredited bodies may face sanctions, including withdrawal of their own accreditation status.

A Persistent Problem

This is not the first time the education regulator has had to battle the influx of fake universities and unapproved degree programs.

In previous years, both the National Accreditation Board (NAB)—before it merged into GTEC—and GTEC itself have published similar lists, warning the public about dubious academic institutions targeting unsuspecting students.

The challenge has been compounded by the rise of online learning platforms and foreign-based virtual universities, many of which exploit regulatory loopholes and market aggressively on social media to attract Ghanaian students with promises of quick, cheap degrees.