The University of Cape Coast chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UCC) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), demanding an immediate reversal of sanctions imposed on the university and a formal apology.

The directive follows GTEC’s recent decision to suspend all government-related support and services to UCC, effectively designating the institution as “non-existent” on its official portal. The Commission cited UCC’s alleged failure to comply with guidelines concerning the tenure of Vice-Chancellor Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong as grounds for the sanctions.

UTAG-UCC Secretary Dr. Isaac Boabeng, speaking at a press briefing, sharply criticized the move, describing GTEC’s actions as “unlawful,” “unjustifiable,” and “a direct attack” on the welfare of university personnel.

“We, UTAG and other unions on campus, categorically reject this publication in its content as unlawful, unjustifiable, and a direct attack on the dignity and the livelihood of university staff,” Dr. Boabeng said.

He reserved his strongest criticism for the potential disruption of salary payments tied to the sanctions, calling any such interference “criminal.”

“Salaries are not privileges that someone can whimsically say, ‘I have withdrawn,’” Dr. Boabeng said. “It is unacceptable to deny university staff what is due them—unjustifiably, unlawfully. It’s criminal and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.”

UTAG-UCC has demanded that GTEC rescind the directive and issue an official apology no later than Thursday. Should the Commission fail to comply, the union says it will mobilize faculty and staff for a protest march in Accra.

“If GTEC fails to do it in the coming days—by Thursday or Friday—we are all marching to Accra,” Dr. Boabeng warned. “They should come and lock the University of Cape Coast and take the keys to Accra. GTEC and Professor Okloh should understand that there are laws in this country.”

GTEC has yet to publicly respond to UTAG-UCC’s demands.