The future of nearly 600 students has been thrown into uncertainty following the closure of the Royal Nursing College at Tafo Nyhiaeso in the Ashanti Region by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). The shutdown was ordered after the school’s management failed to provide documentation confirming its accreditation status.
In June 2024, GTEC had directed the institution to stop admitting new students and to complete teaching those already enrolled. However, a recent inspection revealed that fresh admissions had continued as of January this year. When GTEC announced the immediate closure, many students—shocked by the development—broke down in tears while peers tried to console them. The college, which was not authorised to admit Level 100 and Level 200 students, currently has 272 freshmen and 320 second-year students.
GTEC stated that the college had not only flouted its directives but also lacked accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The institute, which runs Diploma in Registered General Nursing programmes, has a total enrolment of 802 students.
With the closure affecting the Level 100 and 200 students, the remaining 210 students are expected to continue their studies under the guidance of the affiliated university, the University of Cape Coast (UCC). GTEC explained that the shutdown was necessary to protect students and uphold educational regulations.
It further explained that since the institution was not accredited by GTEC and was unrecognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, students risked completing their programmes without valid certification. “Those certificates will be fake and will note recognised by any institution,” GTEC added.
Officials of GTEC were accompanied by three Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers from the Ashanti Regional Police Command to conduct an inspection of the campus. The inspection revealed a lack of proper documentation and inadequate lecture rooms. At the time of the visit, Level 100 students were attending lectures in a packed auditorium without tables and proper chairs.
Their situation was compounded by a power outage, forcing students to use their books as improvised fans. After the inspection, the wife of the owner of the school and some management members were picked up by CID officers. Officials indicated that they would push for the prosecution of the owner, Ken Owusu.
Source: Severious Kale-Dery
