GTEC issues directive over the termination of UCC VC appointment

The management of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has asked Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), whose appointment has faced termination to remain at post.

The Tertiary Commission in a statement sighted by Thisterm.com said until the Commission investigates the issues surrounding the termination, Prof Johnson will continue to serve as the Cape Coast-based university’s Vice-Chancellor.

GTEC in charge of Tertiary Education in the country also said it has not received any contrary communication from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Council regarding a further two-year term for Professor Boampong as Vice-Chancellor.

“In the meantime, given the University had previously communicated the appointment of Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong as Vice Chancellor for a further term of two (2) years to the Commission (GTEC), and there being no communication to the contrary from the Council of the University, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong is to remain at the post as Vice-Chancellor until the Commission has examined the issues arising and communicated its position,” it said.

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission further instructed the management of the University to furnish it with all relevant documents related to the renewal and purported termination of the Vice-Chancellor’s appointment.

“Given the Commission’s mandate to ensure that the management of the University is not interrupted, you are hereby directed to furnish the Commission with all documents concerning the renewal and purported termination of the Vice Chancellor’s appointment as all correspondences, court processes and communique on the matter to the Commission by Friday, 9th August 2024,” GTEC added.

The directives come after the governing council of the University of Cape Coast on August 1, terminated the appointment of Prof Johnson Nyarko Boampong, whose four-year term began in June 2020 and officially ended on July 31, 2024.

The appointment termination of Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong as the UCC Vice-Chancellor was communicated in a letter written and signed by the Chairman of the University Council, Prof Harold S. Amonoo-Kuofi.

The reason given by the Council Chair is that Prof Boampong will attain age 60 in 2025 and will therefore not be able to complete his two-year tenure before he attains the compulsory retirement age of 60 on September 18, 2025.

However, the management of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) challenging Prof Harold S. Amonoo-Kuofi’s decision said no such arrangement has been made adding that at its last meeting held on Tuesday, 30th July 2024.

“Council has not met to discuss or take such a decision and that, at its last meeting held on Tuesday, 30th July 2024, records available indicate that matters discussed and decided upon did not include the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure,” it said.