The University of Ghana has told African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) students admitted under its former affiliation arrangement that they remain eligible for certificates bearing its seal, boosting their months-long dispute with management over which degree they will graduate with.
The 253 affected students, all from the 2022/2023 admission cohort, enrolled when the institution operated as the African University College of Communications (AUCC), affiliated with the University of Ghana since AUCC’s founding in 2002. They were assigned index numbers carrying the “AUUG” designation, paid affiliate fees, and sat exams and coursework moderated to University of Ghana standards. That arrangement changed after AUCC received a presidential charter in December 2024, becoming the autonomous African University of Communications and Business, with the power to award its own degrees. On 27 April, AUCB management directed that all students, including the 2022/2023 cohort, would now graduate with AUCB degrees rather than University of Ghana certificates, a decision the affected students rejected and took to the University of Ghana and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) in a formal petition.
In its response, signed by Pro Vice-Chancellor Gordon Awandare, the University of Ghana said students admitted to AUCC under the affiliation arrangement “remain students governed by the terms and conditions of that affiliation arrangement for the duration of their programme of study,” and confirmed that those in the 2022/2023 cohort who meet all academic requirements are eligible for certificates under its seal. The students say the letter directly contradicts what AUCB Vice-Chancellor Isaac Abeku Blankson told them at a meeting on 22 May, when he suggested pursuing University of Ghana certification could take years and advised them to accept AUCB degrees instead.
The students are now awaiting a final response from GTEC on their petition and have urged affected classmates to stay united and avoid misinformation while the matter is resolved through official channels.
