A Senior Lecturer and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Dr. Elijah Tukwariba Yin, has filed a lawsuit against the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) following its directive for the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Johnson Boampong, to step aside after attaining the compulsory retirement age of 60.
In a statement dated September 19, 2025, GTEC insisted that Prof. Boampong’s continued stay in office violated Article 199(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires holders of public office to retire at 60.
According to the Commission, the Vice Chancellor’s role falls under this category, as defined by the University of Cape Coast Act, 1992 (PNDCL 278).
The Commission further ordered UCC’s Governing Council to appoint Professor Dennis Aheto, the Pro-Vice Chancellor, to act in the role until the Cape Coast High Court rules on a pending case over the Vice Chancellor’s tenure. It also threatened to withdraw salaries, accreditation, and government subventions if the university failed to comply.
Dr. Yin, however, argues that GTEC exceeded its mandate and unlawfully interfered in university governance.
He contends that only the UCC Governing Council has the authority to remove a Vice Chancellor, and that Prof. Boampong was denied a fair hearing. He further points out that GTEC’s actions breached a subsisting High Court injunction and were accompanied by arbitrary threats and the unlawful withholding of statutory services.
The law lecturer, who filed the suit in his capacity as a private citizen, maintains that citizens are duty-bound to intervene when public power is abused. He also claims he stands to suffer from the Commission’s actions and inactions.
Dr. Yin is seeking several reliefs from the court, including:
A declaration voiding GTEC’s letters removing the Vice Chancellor, appointing an acting Vice Chancellor, and withdrawing services.
An order quashing the directive for Prof. Boampong to step down.
An injunction restraining GTEC from further interference in the Vice Chancellor’s tenure.
An order compelling GTEC to process UCC’s lawful requests.
A bar on Prof. Dennis Aheto from acting as Vice Chancellor.
The High Court in Cape Coast is expected to hear the matter in the coming weeks.
