The Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) has issued a stern caution to the University of Development Studies (UDS) regarding severe academic and professional misconduct discovered at Ghana Christian University College (GCUC). The irregularities, uncovered during a regulatory audit of GCUC’s Allied Health programmes, led the AHPC to withdraw accreditation for all such programs offered by the institution.
Audit Reveals Widespread Breaches
A letter dated February 2, 2026, from AHPC Registrar Professor Shiraz Issahaku, detailed extensive violations of approved admission and academic progression standards at GCUC. UDS serves as the mentoring institution for GCUC, prompting the AHPC to formally notify them of the situation. Copies of the letter were also sent to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and the President of GCUC, Reverend James Yamoah.
The investigation was prompted by public allegations that GCUC was admitting and graduating unqualified individuals into Ghana’s health sector. The AHPC conducted a comprehensive audit of programs including BSc Public Health (Disease Control), BSc Public Health (Health Promotion), and BSc Health Information Management and Records Management.
Substandard Admissions and Qualifications
GCUC was required to submit a list of all admitted students along with their qualifications. The audit’s findings revealed significant breaches of admission requirements, with many students admitted holding grades below the minimum entry requirement of C6.
In one instance, a Level 100 cohort of 25 students admitted to public health programs had only two students meeting the admission criteria. Furthermore, the audit identified the admission of students with NVTI certificates, qualifications not recognized by the AHPC’s approved admission standards.
Academic Progression Violations and Accreditation Withdrawal
Concerns were also raised regarding the graduation of students who had failed to meet academic progression standards. A significant number of students were reportedly graduated by GCUC despite failing two or more courses.
The AHPC also alleged improper placement of students with nursing and related qualifications. These students were placed at Level 200 instead of the approved Level 100 entry point.
Citing a serious risk to public health, the AHPC announced the immediate withdrawal of accreditation for all Allied Health programmes at GCUC. This decision underscores the Council’s commitment to maintaining standards within the healthcare professions.
Path Forward for Affected Students
The AHPC has advised UDS to collaborate with them to establish a clear roadmap. This plan will outline processes for absorbing qualified students into UDS or through other AHPC-approved arrangements, including defined timelines and transitional measures.
Implications for the Health Sector
The AHPC’s decisive action highlights the critical importance of rigorous accreditation and oversight in professional training, particularly in fields directly impacting public health. The incident raises questions about the effectiveness of existing quality assurance mechanisms within tertiary education and the responsibility of mentoring institutions.
For prospective students and the general public, this serves as a stark reminder to verify the accreditation status of educational institutions and programs, especially in specialized fields like allied health. The future implications will likely involve heightened scrutiny of admissions processes and academic integrity at various tertiary institutions across Ghana, potentially leading to revised regulatory frameworks and more frequent audits by bodies like the AHPC and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission.
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