Dr. Jerry Opoku‑Ansah, President of the University of Cape Coast branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG‑UCC), has expressed concern over the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission’s (GTEC) decision to suspend processing of key requests from UCC.
He said the union is unhappy with the move but believes resolution through dialogue is still possible.
GTEC, in a letter dated September 22, 2025, suspended its handling of several major requests from UCC, including accreditation, government subventions, GETFund support, research and book allowances, post‑retirement contracts, financial clearances, and recruitment.
The suspension follows a directive that the university comply with orders concerning the tenure of Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, whom GTEC says has remained in office beyond the compulsory retirement age.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Tuesday, September 23, Dr. Opoku‑Ansah said many members are troubled by GTEC’s declaration but urged calm.
“Those requests that GTEC says they are not going to honour them, that is our worry and we believe that in the present circumstances we as a union we held a meeting today and members are very clear in their minds they’re very unhappy about that development.
“But they also proffer that in issues like these cool heads should prevail. We need dialogue and mediation in whatever they need so that we can have an amicable solution ensuing on our campus.”
He stressed the importance of mediation and institutional dialogue as the way forward for resolving disputes and restoring normal operations at UCC.
The suspension by GTEC adds to tensions surrounding Prof. Boampong’s tenure. Earlier, GTEC had directed him to vacate office following legal findings that he had overstayed the mandatory retirement age of 60. The matter is currently before the Cape Coast High Court, and GTEC has instructed the UCC Governing Council to refrain from appointing a substantive Vice‑Chancellor until the legal process is complete.
Meanwhile, lawyers for Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong have formally demanded that GTEC withdraw its letter instructing him to step aside.
In a strongly worded letter dated September 19, 2025, addressed to GTEC and copied to key stakeholders including the Minister of Education, the Chancellor and Council Chair of UCC, and the Chairman of Vice-Chancellors Ghana, the legal counsel described GTEC’s directive as both unlawful and in contempt of a subsisting court order.
The lawyers reminded GTEC that the Constitution permits the state to employ persons over 60 under certain conditions—a provision they say supports Prof. Boampong’s continued stay in office. They also cited UCC’s rollover policy and university statutes as legal bases for his tenure.
“It is therefore surprising that you have written a letter taking a decision that has suspended the appointment of our client as Vice-Chancellor,” the letter stated. “Apart from disrespecting the court orders, your actions also amount to side-stepping the Statutes of the University.”
Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews
