GTEC ORDERS UCC VICE-CHANCELLOR TO STEP ASIDE OVER RETIREMENT AGE

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has asked the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong, to step aside after reaching the compulsory retirement age of 60.

In a statement dated September 19, 2025, GTEC said it had noted that Prof. Boampong continued to remain in office in violation of Article 199(1) of the 1992 Constitution. The Article states that, except where otherwise provided, a public officer must retire from service upon attaining the age of sixty.

The Commission explained that the office of Vice-Chancellor is considered a public office under the University of Cape Coast Act, 1992 (PNDCL 278). This means the age limit applies to anyone holding the position. It also referred to Statute 8.2 of UCC’s 2016 Statutes, which makes it clear that a Vice-Chancellor may serve another term only if it does not exceed the retirement age.

Following the directive, Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto has been asked to act as Vice-Chancellor until the issue is resolved.

GTEC further noted that a case on the matter has already been filed at the High Court in Cape Coast. It has therefore instructed the UCC Governing Council to suspend the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor until the court delivers its ruling.