The legal battle surrounding the University of Cape Coast Vice-Chancellor Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong has intensified, with his lawyers formally demanding that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission withdraw its directive ordering him to step aside.
The escalating dispute has created unprecedented tensions between Ghana’s premier tertiary education regulator and one of the country’s leading universities.
In a strongly-worded letter dated September 19, 2025, legal representatives led by Dennis Adjei Dwomoh of Law Plus served formal notice on GTEC, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the commission’s directive.
The letter, copied to key stakeholders including the Minister of Education and UCC’s Chancellor, signals the beginning of what could become a protracted legal confrontation over university governance and academic independence.
The controversy erupted following Professor Boampong’s 60th birthday on September 18, 2025, with GTEC citing his stay in office beyond the compulsory retirement age of 60 as grounds for its directive.
However, the Vice-Chancellor’s legal team has rejected this interpretation, arguing that existing court orders and university statutes provide legal protection for his continued tenure.
Professor Boampong, through his lawyers, has indicated he “would ignore the said letter and continue to act in office as directed by the University Statutes and in accordance with the orders of the court”.
This defiant stance has been backed by UCC’s management, which has collectively rejected GTEC’s authority to unilaterally remove the Vice-Chancellor.
The dispute has been complicated by a High Court injunction issued on October 8, 2024, which barred the university’s Governing Council from taking decisions on Prof. Boampong’s appointment.
Legal experts suggest this existing court order significantly strengthens the Vice-Chancellor’s position against GTEC’s directive.
GTEC’s response has been equally forceful, with the commission taking unprecedented punitive measures against UCC.
The regulatory body has blocked all government-related support and services to the institution and designated it as “non-existent” on its official portal.
This drastic action affects the university’s ability to process student admissions, access government funding, and maintain its accreditation status.
The standoff represents more than a simple retirement dispute, highlighting broader questions about university autonomy and regulatory oversight in Ghana’s tertiary education sector.
Legal observers note that the case could set important precedents for how retirement policies are enforced in public universities and the extent of GTEC’s executive powers.
The Vice-Chancellor’s lawyers have warned of potential legal action if GTEC fails to withdraw its directive, setting the stage for a constitutional challenge that could ultimately require judicial intervention.
With both sides maintaining rigid positions and UCC’s academic operations potentially at risk, stakeholders are calling for urgent dialogue to resolve the impasse.
The dispute continues to unfold as the university community watches anxiously, aware that the outcome will likely influence governance structures across Ghana’s public university system for years to come.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
