UCC law lecturer sues GTEC over Vice-Chancellor retirement directive

Vice-Dean and lecturer of the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Coast (UCC),  Dr. Elijah Tukwariba Yin, has filed a Judicial review action against the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) following its directive that Vice-Chancellor Prof. Johnson Boampong step down from office.

In his writ, Dr. Yin filing as a concerned private citizen argues that GTEC has overstepped its authority by forcing Prof. Boampong to vacate his post, appointing Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Denis Aheto as acting Vice-Chancellor, and threatening sanctions such as halting salaries, accreditation, and funding should UCC fail to comply. 

The University of Cape Coast has been joined to the case as the second respondent.

GTEC, in a letter dated September 19, 2025, insisted that Prof. Boampong’s continued stay in office breaches Article 199(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which sets 60 as the mandatory retirement age for public officers. 

The regulator thus directed the UCC Governing Council not to proceed with appointing a substantive Vice-Chancellor until the High Court in Cape Coast delivers judgment on the matter, where a separate suit is pending.

However per the suit signed by counsel, Kenneth Atsu Dogbey, the applicant maintains that “citizens have a duty to intervene whenever public authority is abused,” stressing that the Commission’s decisions not only undermine due process but also affect his rights and interests as a member of the university community.

He is seeking the following reliefs from the court:

1. A declaration that the decisions of the GTEC dated 19th and 22nd September 2025 is ultra vires, void, and of no legal effect;

2. An order of certiorari to bring up and quash the decision of GTEC purporting to direct the 1st Interested Party to step aside from the office of Vice Chancellor of the 2nd Respondent;

3. An order of prohibition restraining GTEC from issuing further directives, taking steps, or in any way interfering with the tenure or appointment of the Vice Chancellor;

4. An order of mandamus compelling GTEC to perform their statutory duty of processing all requests relating to accreditation, salaries and government subvention, GETFund support, Book and Research Allowance, Post-Retirement Contracts, Financial Clearance for Recruitment, and any other related administrative processes of the 2nd Respondent;

5. An order of injunction restraining the 2nd Interested Party from acting or purporting to act in the office of Vice Chancellor of the 2nd Respondent;

6. An order compelling the GTEC to respect the jurisdiction of the courts and refrain from usurping the authority of the University Governing Council or acting in matters sub judice;

7. Costs