The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has directed the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong, to step aside for acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto, to assume leadership of the university in the interim.

In a statement issued on September 19, 2025, GTEC said its attention had been drawn to the fact that Prof. Boampong continues to remain in office past the compulsory retirement age of 60, in contravention of Article 199(1) of the 1992 Constitution.

“Article 199(1) states that a public officer shall, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, retire from the public service on attaining the age of sixty years,” part of the statement read.

GTEC explained that the office of the Vice-Chancellor is a public office under the University of Cape Coast Act, 1992 (PNDCL 278), and anyone holding the position is therefore required to proceed on compulsory retirement once they turn 60.

The Commission further cited Statute 8.2 of the University of Cape Coast Statutes, 2016, which stipulates that a Vice-Chancellor may only serve for a further term if it does not exceed the statutory retirement age.

GTEC indicated that, pending the resolution of a suit filed at the High Court in Cape Coast over the matter, the UCC Governing Council has been directed to stay the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor until the court delivers its ruling.