Parliament has approved the Education Regulatory Bodies (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making it optional for private universities to obtain a Presidential Charter and removing the previous six-year deadline for acquiring one.

During the second reading, the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, explained that the earlier requirement under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023) created financial and operational challenges for many private institutions.

He said the amendment will allow universities to apply for a charter only when they are ready to operate independently and award their own degrees.

The minister also assured Parliament that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission will continue to regulate and maintain quality standards through accreditation and academic audits.

Parliament’s Education Committee supported the amendment, noting it will help prevent disruptions to the education of thousands of students in private universities.