The former Vice-Chancellor of the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), Professor Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa, has filed a writ at the Accra High Court challenging what he describes as an unlawful termination of his employment.

The suit, dated March 1, 2026, names four defendants: GCTU, Council Chairman Ing. Divine Kpetigo, Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ebenezer Malcalm, and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

According to the statement of claim accompanying the writ, Prof Afoakwa was first appointed Vice-Chancellor in March 2021.

In August 2024, the university extended his contract for a further four-year term, running from March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2029. He states that he accepted the offer and continued in the role.

The legal documents say that on February 3, 2026, Prof Afoakwa received a letter from the university instructing him to cease holding his position as Vice-Chancellor, with an alleged termination of his contract effective February 28, 2026.

A further letter dated February 26, 2026, barred him from acting in the capacity of Vice-Chancellor.

His lawyers, Barfo Bonney & Associates, argue that at no point was their client notified of any breach of his contract, nor was he invited to any hearing to respond to allegations before his removal.

"Plaintiff says he has never been invited by the 1st and or the 2nd Defendants to a hearing and has never been heard in his defence regarding any allegation or breach of contract," the statement of claim reads.

Prof Afoakwa contends that the termination violates Section 9(24) of the Ghana Communication Technology University Act 2020 (Act 1022), which sets out a process of fair hearing.

His lawyers also cite Article 19(13) of the 1992 Constitution, arguing these provisions must be complied with if the university desired to relieve him of his post.

"The arbitrary exercise of discretionary power by the 1st and 2nd Defendants seeking to purportedly terminate the Plaintiff's contract of employment without hearing the Plaintiff in relation to any allegation and or proving the Plaintiff's breach of a term of the contract between the Plaintiff, is simply unlawful," the statement of claim argues.

The writ further alleges that GTEC, by a letter dated March 2, 2026, confirmed its acquiescence in what the plaintiff describes as unlawful and detrimental conduct against his fundamental human rights to fair hearing and employment.

Among the seven reliefs being sought, Professor Afoakwa is asking the court to restrain the defendants from interfering with his employment pending the final determination of the case. 

He seeks declarations that the purported termination of his employment as Vice-Chancellor is a nullity for want of due process, and that he has not been relieved of his position under the contract, which he maintains does not expire until 28th February 2029.

He is also seeking a declaration that the third defendant, Professor Malcalm, does not legitimately occupy the position of Vice-Chancellor, as his own tenure has never been lawfully terminated. Damages for distress, ridicule, humiliation and shame are also being sought, with quantum to be determined by the court.

The plaintiff argues that unless the court intervenes, the defendants will continue to subject him to public shame, interfere with his dignity, and throw the university into confusion and chaos, detracting from the welfare of students and institutional cohesion.

The writ was filed at the Accra High Court registry on March 1, 2026 and is yet to be served on the defendants. Upon service, they will have eight days to enter an appearance, failing which judgment could be entered against them in their absence.