A call for justice has been made by the Director-General of Ghana's Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, over a controversial incident involving his academic records. But here's where it gets interesting...
On November 17, 2025, Prof. Jinapor expressed his concerns about a potential breach of his data privacy rights. The issue arose when parts of his past academic assessment records from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) were allegedly released without his consent.
The leaked documents include an assessor's report from Prof. Jinapor's time as a lecturer at UEW. This report allegedly criticized some of his academic publications as substandard and recommended against his promotion. Prof. Jinapor argues that sharing such internal assessments violates data protection protocols and invades his personal privacy.
This incident has sparked a heated debate within Ghana's tertiary education sector. Critics point out an apparent inconsistency, as Prof. Jinapor has been actively involved in exposing questionable academic qualifications of others, yet now seeks protection when faced with similar scrutiny.
In a formal letter to UEW, Prof. Jinapor demanded an explanation for the alleged disclosure, claiming that the university's actions were improper and breached confidentiality. The matter has divided academics, with some arguing it highlights concerns over promotion procedures and institutional powers, while others emphasize the need for strict adherence to Ghana's Data Protection Act.
Observers have questioned the timing of Prof. Jinapor's complaint, noting that he did not challenge the assessor's decision while at UEW. However, supporters argue that the protection of personal data is a universal right, and the timing should not diminish its importance.
The controversy continues to unfold, leaving stakeholders awaiting further clarification from both GTEC and UEW. This incident raises important questions about data privacy, institutional powers, and the consistency of applying principles across the education sector.
What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think Prof. Jinapor's concerns are valid, or is this a case of hypocrisy? Join the discussion and share your insights in the comments!
