The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has withdrawn all government-related support and recognition from the University of Cape Coast (UCC), describing the institution as “non-existent” on its official portal.

In a statement released on Monday, GTEC said it had suspended all major engagements with the university following its failure to comply with directives regarding the tenure of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong.

The Commission’s action stems from UCC’s disregard for a High Court injunction dated October 8, 2024, which barred the university’s Governing Council from taking any decision on Prof. Boampong’s appointment. Despite the injunction—and having reached the statutory retirement age of 60—Prof. Boampong has reportedly remained in office.

As a consequence, GTEC has halted the processing of all UCC-related requests, including:

• Programme accreditation

• Government salary subventions

• GETFund disbursements

• Research and book allowances

• Post-retirement contracts

• Financial clearance for recruitment

• Other administrative approvals

The directive, signed by Prof. Augustine Ocloo, Acting Deputy Director-General of GTEC, will remain in force until UCC demonstrates full compliance with the Commission’s orders.

GTEC last week instructed Prof. Boampong to step aside, arguing that the Vice-Chancellor’s office is a public position under Section 7(1) of the University of Cape Coast Act, 1992 (PNDCL 278). By extension, the role is bound by Article 199(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which sets the retirement age for public officers at 60.

The Commission further pointed to the UCC Statutes (2016), which stipulate that a Vice-Chancellor may serve a four-year term, renewable for an additional three years only if the person has not surpassed the mandatory retirement age.

Pending resolution of the legal battle before the Cape Coast High Court, GTEC has appointed the university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, to act as Vice-Chancellor.