Management of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has rejected the appointment of Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto as acting Vice-Chancellor by GTEC.
GTEC, in its letter to UCC management, directed the retirement of Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, on grounds that he had attained compulsory retirement age of 60 years.
At an emergency meeting convened today, Friday, September 19, 2025, by Prof. Aheto, management reviewed the GTEC directive, which referenced Article 199(1) of the 1992 Constitution and UCC’s Statutes, arguing that Prof. Boampong had exceeded the mandatory retirement age of 60 and should therefore vacate office.
Excerpts of the University Statues states that; the office of the VC 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,” and that, “A senior member shall retire from his or her appointment and all other offices held by virtue of the appointment at the end of the academic year in which he or she atttains the retirement age of 60 years.
An academic year starts from 1st August and ends on 31st July of the following year.
“The Vice-Chancellor shall hold office for an initial tern of four years. The appointment may be renewed for a further termn of up to three years if that is not
beyond the statutory retiring age of 60.”
The UCC Management, however, maintained that they lacked the authority to determine the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure and referred the matter to the University Council, which is the appointing body.
The issue of Prof. Boampong’s tenure has already been the subject of litigation.
The High Court earlier granted an injunction barring his removal on grounds of retirement, a decision later upheld by the Supreme Court.
The University Council itself has also been injuncted from taking any action until the substantive case is concluded.
In view of the court rulings, management insists that Prof. Boampong remains lawfully at post based on his valid appointment by the Council, and therefore rejected GTEC’s order to install Prof. Aheto as acting Vice-Chancellor.
