Ghana’s tertiary education regulator has ordered the immediate shutdown of Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine and Technology, citing unauthorized operations and unaccredited academic programs.
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) issued the directive following the arrest of the institution’s founder, Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, along with its registrar and director. The arrests took place on July 30 during a joint operation by GTEC and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
In a statement, GTEC said the institution had been offering an unapproved Bachelor of Technology (BTech) program in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine—along with various specializations—without the necessary accreditation, in direct violation of national regulations governing higher education.
“The institution must cease all academic and promotional activities with immediate effect,” said Jerry Sarfo, GTEC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, in an interview with Citi News. He added that Nyarkotey University must provide evidence of all academic claims by August 8 and halt new admissions, online marketing, and billboard advertising until it obtains proper accreditation.
“They are to shut down immediately and present proof of compliance. If they intend to resume operations, they must begin the accreditation process without delay,” Sarfo said.
In addition, GTEC has instructed Raphael Nyarkotey Obu to stop using the title “Professor” and to issue a public disclaimer clarifying that he holds no recognized credentials warranting the honorary designation.
“There is no verified academic basis for his use of the title ‘Professor,’ and we have asked him to publicly disassociate from it,” Sarfo noted.
The shutdown of Nyarkotey University underscores GTEC’s broader push to tighten oversight of unregulated institutions operating within Ghana’s rapidly expanding tertiary education sector.
