GTEC Sanctions UCC Over Vice Chancellor’s Refusal to Go on Retirement

• The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has suspended the University of Cape Coast from accessing government-related support and services
• The suspension, according to the Commission, is to enforce its directive for the UCC’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong, to retire
• In a statement released on September 22, 2025, the Commission listed accreditation and GETfund support as some of the affected services

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has taken drastic action against the University of Cape Coast (UCC), blocking all government-related support and services to the institution.

In a letter issued on Monday, September 22, 2025, the GTEC designated UCC as “non-existent” on its official portal, citing the Vice-Chancellor Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong’s refusal to comply with a retirement directive.

In an earlier letter dated Friday, September 19, 2025, GTEC had ordered Professor 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.

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However, the University of Cape Coast (UCC) management defied the directive ordering the removal of Professor Johnson, with the institution’s legal team responding the same day, demanding that GTEC withdraw its directive.

In an uncompromising stance, the GTEC has dealt a big blow by suspending the processing of all major requests from the institution. Among the severe measures GTEC seeks to implement until UCC complies with its directive are the suspension of processing requests for:

• Accreditation applications
• Salary approvals
• GETFund support
• Book and research allowances
• Other essential institutional approvals

In justifying its actions, GTEC referenced ongoing legal challenges that have complicated the situation. The Commission noted that the Governing Council of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has been restrained by an injunction of the High Court, Cape Coast, since 8th October 2024, from taking any action on Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor.

“The Commission is compelled to issue this directive because the Governing Council of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has been restrained by an injunction of the High Court, Cape Coast, since 8th October 2024,” GTEC stated in its official communication.

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See the GTEC’s statement on UCC below:

The far-reaching sanctions effectively cut off the university from critical government support systems that are essential for its operations. The designation of the institution as “non-existent” on GTEC’s portal represents an unprecedented move that could have significant implications for the university’s students, staff, and academic programmes.

GTEC fights against usage of unearned titles

The latest standoff with UCC comes on the back of a recent fight by the GTEC to curb the use of what it described as the unearned academic titles.

Recently, Deputy Minister of Health Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah’s claim of being a professor was disputed by GTEC.

In a letter to the Chief of Staff, GTEC indicated that Dr Ayensu-Danquah failed to provide enough evidence for the title.

For this reason, she was asked to immediately stop holding herself as a professor or face legal action.

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The claims by GTEC about Dr Ayensu-Danquah added to the growing list of leading members of the NDC and President John Mahama’s government who have been accused of parading unearned credentials.

The GTEC had warned NDC’s Deputy Director of Elections and CEO of GIFEC, Rashid Tanko-Computer, to immediately stop using the academic title “Dr’ amid allegations of falsified academic credentials.

Similarly, Richard Kofi Asiedu, the Central Regional Chairman of the party, was also warned over his continued use of the honorary title of professor.

Hassan Ayariga threatens to sue GTEC

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported that All People’s Congress (APC) founder Hassan Ayariga had threatened to sue GTEC for ordering him to stop using his doctorate title.

Just like Dr Ayensu-Danquah, GTEC had questioned the legitimacy of the APC founder’s academic credentials and demanded evidence of his supposed doctorate.

In response, Ayariga vowed to take legal action, accusing the commission of defamation and asserting his right to make use of the title.

Source: YEN.com.gh