GTEC Certificate Evaluation Procedure 2026

If you are applying for a job under the Ministry of Education or any public sector institution in Ghana, one requirement you cannot afford to ignore in 2026 is the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) certificate evaluation.

Whether your certificate is from a local university, a college of education, or a foreign institution, GTEC is the official body mandated to verify its authenticity and establish its equivalence to Ghanaian academic standards. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about the GTEC certificate evaluation procedure in 2026.

The GTEC certificate evaluation process is a critical gateway for anyone seeking employment in Ghana’s public sector, particularly in the education space.

With the GTEC verification becoming a compulsory step in the GES 2026 recruitment exercise, every applicant with a tertiary qualification must ensure their credentials are evaluated and authenticated before applying.

Follow the steps outlined in this guide, use only official GTEC channels, prepare your documents in advance, and submit your application well before your recruitment deadline. A verified certificate is not just a requirement; it is your proof of qualification and your key to a public sector career in Ghana.

Table of Contents

What Is GTEC and Why Does It Matter?

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) is the body mandated under the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023) to accredit tertiary institutions and programmes and to verify academic credentials in Ghana. It is headed by Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai as Director-General.

GTEC’s Credential Evaluation Department assesses educational certificates, diplomas, and degrees earned from both local and foreign institutions and converts them into their Ghanaian equivalent. This service helps employers and educational institutions understand and properly assess qualifications obtained from different educational systems around the world.

In 2026, GTEC issued a directive requiring all prospective applicants for positions in agencies under the Ministry of Education to submit their academic credentials for evaluation as a compulsory part of the recruitment process. This move is part of a broader national effort to weed out fake certificates and ensure that only qualified individuals occupy critical roles in Ghana’s education sector.

What Services Does GTEC Offer Under Certificate Evaluation?

GTEC’s Credential Evaluation Department provides the following services:

General evaluation reports that assess and describe the level of a qualification in relation to Ghanaian standards.

Credential verification and authenticity checks that confirm whether a certificate is genuine and was awarded by a recognised institution.

Institutional reports that provide information about specific institutions and their standing.

Evaluation and establishment of equivalences for certificates acquired at all levels of education, from diplomas to PhDs.

Who Needs GTEC Certificate Evaluation?

You need GTEC certificate evaluation if you fall into any of the following categories:

You are applying for a job in a public sector institution, such as under the Ministry of Education or any of its agencies.
You hold a foreign qualification and need it assessed against Ghanaian academic standards for employment, further studies, or immigration purposes.
Your employer or institution has specifically requested a GTEC evaluation report as part of their verification process.

What GTEC Does Not Evaluate

Before applying, it is important to understand what GTEC does not cover so you do not waste time or resources. GTEC does not evaluate the following:

Result slips or attestation letters. Only certificates awarded after the completion of a full programme of study are evaluated.
Transcripts from uncompleted programmes.
Certificates of membership, proficiency, or participation in seminars or workshops.
GTEC also does not describe all courses studied in a programme. Its evaluation covers only the highest level of qualification submitted. It does not determine or prescribe the grade or rank an applicant should be placed at in the workplace, and it does not combine multiple qualifications to determine placement or establish a specific grade or rank.

GTEC Certificate Evaluation Fees in 2026

Processing fees are periodically reviewed. The current fees are as follows:
Local certificate: GH¢120.00 per certificate Foreign certificate: GH¢307.00 per certificate
Fees are paid after document verification at the GTEC Secretariat, not before submission.

Documents Required for GTEC Certificate Evaluation

Before visiting the GTEC Secretariat, prepare the following documents:

A signed application letter addressed to the Director General, Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, P.O. Box CT 3256, Cantonments, Accra. Alternatively, you may collect an official application form directly from the GTEC Secretariat.
Original certificate(s) together with clear and legible photocopies.
Photocopies of prior qualifications used to enroll on the programme being evaluated. For example, degree holders should include their WASSCE certificate.
For foreign language certificates: Certified English translations from recognized institutions only. Accepted translating bodies are the University of Ghana, Department of Modern Languages, and the Ghana Institute of Languages. Translations from uncertified sources will not be accepted.
For certificates from Cuba or Russia: An authentication letter from the respective Embassy in Ghana must accompany the application before submission.
For applications submitted on behalf of another person: A signed consent form from the certificate holder is required.

Step-by-Step GTEC Certificate Evaluation Procedure

Follow these steps carefully to ensure your application is processed without delays.

Step 1: Register on the CEMS Portal

Visit the GTEC Certificate Evaluation Management System (CEMS) portal at cems.gtec.edu.gh and create an account.
You will need to provide your personal details, select your account type, add your address and location information, and upload a profile picture. This is your starting point for the application. Always use the official portal and avoid third-party websites claiming to offer fast GTEC verification.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Gather all the required documents listed above. Ensure every document is genuine, legible, and properly organised before your visit. If your certificate is in a foreign language, arrange for a certified English translation from one of the approved institutions well in advance, as this can take time.

Step 3: Hand-Deliver Your Documents to the GTEC Secretariat

All certificates for evaluation must be hand-delivered to the GTEC Secretariat located in Cantonments, Accra. Email submissions are not accepted under any circumstances. When you arrive, staff at the Secretariat will examine your original documents, take photocopies, and guide you through any remaining steps including updates to your CEMS portal profile if needed.

You may schedule an onsite appointment in advance. Appointments are available between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

Step 4: Pay the Required Fees

Fees are paid after your documents have been verified by GTEC staff, not at the point of submission. Pay the applicable fee based on whether your certificate is local (GH¢120.00) or foreign (GH¢307.00) per certificate.

Step 5: Wait for Processing

GTEC evaluates certificates on a case-by-case basis. Processing typically takes several weeks, and foreign certificates may take longer as GTEC verifies directly with the awarding institution. Applicants are strongly advised to submit their requests well ahead of any recruitment or application deadline to give the Commission ample time to conduct its investigations and write an accurate report.

Step 6: Receive Your Evaluation Report

Once processing is complete, the original evaluation report is forwarded directly to your employer or institution. A file copy is sent to you by post. For this reason, all applications must include a reliable postal address. If you need the report sent to a specific employer or institution, you can request this at the time of submission.

Step 7: Track Your Application

You can monitor the progress of your application through the CEMS portal after logging in, by contacting the GTEC Secretariat via email at evaluation@gtec.edu.gh for enquiries, or by calling the Secretariat for application status updates only. Note that details of evaluation reports will not be released over the phone.

General Guidelines and Conditions You Must Know

The following rules govern the GTEC certificate evaluation process. Read them carefully before applying:

No evaluation report will be written without a formal application on file and appropriate payment made.
Only official and original academic records are accepted.
All non-English documents must be accompanied by certified English translations. Photocopies of the original documents on which the translations are based must also accompany the application.
GTEC reserves the right to verify documents from any source it deems appropriate. If the source requests a signed written consent during verification, you will be contacted to provide an authorization letter.
Forged, altered, or falsified documents, when detected, will be referred to security agencies. Such documents will not be returned and will become the property of GTEC. Your employer will also be notified of the certificate status.
Refunds are only issued in cases where GTEC is unable to find adequate information on a particular credential. Once an application has been submitted, no refund will be issued if you disagree with the evaluation outcome.
GTEC does not accept applications from institutions that are not accredited by an authorized accrediting agency in their home country or a body recognized by GTEC’s partners.

Change of Name or Address

If your certificates bear different names due to a name change, you must accompany them with the relevant official documents effecting the change of name, such as an affidavit or gazette notice.
If you need to change your mailing address on file, the request must be submitted in writing and must indicate the type of certificate, the institution that awarded it, and the level of qualification.

Possible Causes of Delayed Processing

GTEC makes every effort to process applications promptly, but certain factors beyond its control can cause delays. These include delays in postal services, unavailability of information on a particular qualification, delayed responses from foreign institutions during authentication, the need for considerably more research or consultation than usual on a specific qualification, and requests for additional information from the applicant. Plan for these possibilities by applying as early as possible.

GTEC Contact Details

Website: www.gtec.edu.gh CEMS Portal: cems.gtec.edu.gh Email for enquiries: evaluation@gtec.edu.gh Physical location: Cantonments, Accra Onsite appointments: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (schedule in advance) Postal address: P.O. Box CT 3256, Cantonments, Accra

Key Reminders Before You Apply

Apply early. GTEC does not offer instant certificate evaluation. The process takes several weeks and potentially longer for foreign certificates. Do not wait until a recruitment deadline is imminent before starting your application.

Use official channels only. The only trusted platforms for GTEC certificate evaluation are the official GTEC website at gtec.edu.gh and the CEMS portal at cems.gtec.edu.gh. Avoid any third-party websites or individuals claiming to offer faster or easier GTEC verification.

Hand-deliver your documents. No exceptions. Email submissions are not accepted regardless of circumstances.

Keep your postal address current. Since evaluation reports are delivered by post, ensure the address you provide is reliable and accessible.

Genuine applicants have nothing to fear. If your certificate is from an accredited institution and was legitimately earned, the evaluation process is straightforward. Start early, follow the steps correctly, and your report will be processed without issues.