The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has issued a directive for Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong to step down as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), citing his continued stay in office beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60.
In a letter dated Friday, September 19, 2025, GTEC pointed to Article 199(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires public officers to retire at age 60 unless stated otherwise. “The Office of the Vice-Chancellor, being an office established under Section 7(1) of the University of Cape Coast Act, 1992 (PNDCL 278), is a public office under the meaning and intendment of Article 199(1). Hence, anyone acting in the office of the Vice-Chancellor is presumptively mandated to proceed on compulsory retirement upon attaining 60 years,” the letter emphasized.
GTEC further referenced the University of Cape Coast Statutes (2016), which cap the Vice-Chancellor’s initial tenure at four years, renewable for an additional three years—provided the statutory retirement age is not exceeded.
In response to the vacancy, GTEC has directed the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, to assume the role of Acting Vice-Chancellor.
The Commission also acknowledged that the issue is currently before the Cape Coast High Court. As a result, GTEC has instructed the UCC Governing Council to suspend the appointment of a new substantive Vice-Chancellor until the legal proceedings are concluded.
The directive has stirred discussions within the academic community about adherence to retirement statutes and the importance of following due process in leadership transitions.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
