Public universities across the country have been directed to remove all staff who are aged above 65 years from the government payroll.

This was contained in a letter addressed to all the public universities by the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE).

The letter said from October 31, 2018, only academic staff aged between 60-65 years must be given post-retirement contracts.

It further stated that staff aged above 65 years can only be reassigned as "consultants" to the university.

The NCTE letter, signed by its Executive Secretary, Professor Mohammed Salifu, added that universities who retain the services of persons aged above 65 will have to pay them from Internally Generated Funds.

The directive comes following numerous concerns raised about post-retirement contracts and the need to seek clearance for the engagement of staff on such terms.

The Auditor-General, Daniel Yao Demelevo, has consistently stressed this point, insisting it is the best way to save the public purse.

The NCTE said retired public officers must not be engaged for a period exceeding five years after retirement, as the 1992 constitution states in Article 199 (4).

The letter said: "Consequently, you are by this letter being requested to ensure that effective 31st October 2018;

1. Only post-retirement contract staff in the age group 60-65 years should remain on Government of Ghana (GoG) payroll as prescribed by the 1992 constitution.

2. All academic staff above the age of 65 are taken off the GoG payroll and reassigned as "consultants" if their services are still required. Such staff may be paid from Internally Generated Funds of the institution.

3. All non-academic staff on post-retirement contracts are deleted from the GoG payroll. In the meantime, the NCTE and Ministry of Education shall continue to hold discussions with the PSC and the Ministry of Finance on how post-retirement contract staff above age 65 should be treated. Please treat this as urgent and ensure compliance.”