The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong, to proceed on compulsory retirement.

In a letter dated Friday, September 19, 2025, GTEC cited Prof Boampong’s attainment of the mandatory retirement age of 60 as stipulated under Article 199(1) of the 1992 Constitution; adding that his continued tenure violates constitutional provisions for public officers.

“Article 199(1) stipulates that a public officer shall, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, retire from the public service on attaining the age of sixty years,” the letter read.

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It further noted that the Vice-Chancellor’s office, established under Section 7(1) of the University of Cape Coast Act, 1992 (PNDCL 278), qualifies as a public office, mandating retirement at 60.

GTEC referenced the UCC Statutes (2016), which limit the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure to an initial four years, renewable for three additional years, provided the statutory retirement age is not exceeded.

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The Commission added that it has appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Denis Worlanyo Aheto to act as Vice-Chancellor, in line with its regulatory authority under Section 7 of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act (Act 1023).

Acknowledging that the matter is before the Cape Coast High Court, GTEC instructed the Chairman of the UCC Governing Council to defer appointing a substantive Vice-Chancellor until the court’s final determination.

GA/VPO

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