The Ghana Library Association (GLA) has defended the appointment of a college librarian as Acting Vice Principal at the Dambai College of Education, following concerns raised by the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana(CETAG).

In a statement dated March 21, 2026, the association addressed criticisms over the appointment of Dr Fred Alpha Adams, insisting that academic librarians are qualified professionals who play key roles in teaching, research, and institutional administration.

The GLA explained that librarians possess advanced academic qualifications, including PhDs, and are recognised as academic staff under the Harmonised Statutes for Colleges of Education, as well as in public universities.

According to the Association, the role of Vice Principal is administrative in nature and not restricted to teaching staff. It cited Article 195(3) of the Constitution and provisions of the Colleges of Education Act, 2012, to support the authority of governing bodies to make appointments based on merit and competence.

The GLA rejected CETAG’s assertion that the appointment undermines academic governance, pointing to precedents where individuals with administrative and leadership expertise, rather than strictly teaching roles, have been appointed to senior positions. It referenced the case of Stephen Adei at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration(GIMPA) as an example.

The Association also raised concerns about what it described as inconsistencies in CETAG’s interpretation of “academic staff,” urging the union to adopt a more inclusive approach. It noted that the University Teachers Association of Ghana(UTAG) recognises librarians as members.

The GLA has called on the Minister of Education, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), and the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) to reject CETAG’s demands and uphold the appointment, describing it as a step toward merit-based leadership and greater recognition of academic librarians in higher education.