The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has instructed the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong, to step aside, paving the way for Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto to assume leadership of the university in the interim.
In a statement issued on September 19, 2025, GTEC noted that Prof. Boampong has remained in office beyond the compulsory retirement age of 60, in breach of Article 199(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which stipulates that a public officer shall retire from public service upon attaining 60 years, unless otherwise provided.
According to GTEC, the Vice-Chancellor’s position is considered a public office under the University of Cape Coast Act, 1992 (PNDCL 278). As such, any person occupying the role is required to proceed on retirement once they reach the statutory age limit.
The Commission also cited Statute 8.2 of the UCC Statutes (2016), which makes clear that a Vice-Chancellor’s term cannot extend beyond the mandatory retirement age.
GTEC further disclosed that a suit has been filed at the High Court in Cape Coast over the matter. Until the case is determined, the Commission has directed the UCC Governing Council to suspend the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor.
