The Vice Chancellors Ghana (VCG) has formally proposed a review of the retirement age for university lecturers, advocating an extension from the current 60 years to 70 years.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement in Accra, the leadership of VCG emphasized that Ghana’s higher education sector continues to lose experienced and highly skilled academics due to the current retirement policy. They argued that lecturers at 60 are still at their intellectual peak, with years of expertise that are crucial for teaching, mentorship, and research.
VCG noted that globally, many countries allow university professors to serve beyond 60 years, and adopting a similar policy in Ghana would help retain senior scholars, strengthen research output, and improve the quality of tertiary education.
The Vice Chancellors warned that if the retirement age is not reviewed, Ghana risks facing a deepening shortage of qualified lecturers, particularly at a time when enrollment numbers in universities are increasing. They added that senior academics play a pivotal role in mentoring younger faculty members and guiding postgraduate research, both of which are critical to national development.
The proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Education for consideration. VCG expressed optimism that the government would recognize the need to keep experienced academics within the system, especially as the country works towards strengthening its position in global academic rankings.
Currently, lecturers retire at age 60, with limited post-retirement contracts offered selectively. The VCG believes a structured policy shift is needed rather than ad-hoc extensions.
Education experts, meanwhile, have welcomed the proposal, stating that raising the retirement age could also make the teaching profession more attractive to younger generations, knowing that their careers would have a longer professional span.
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