The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has been dragged to court by the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Dr Elijah Tukwariba Yin, over its decision to oust the school’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Johnson Boampong, from office.

The plaintiff argues that GTEC violated a subsisting High Court injunction, issued arbitrary threats, and unlawfully withheld statutory services.

Therefore, Dr Yin has demanded that the court ensure that GTEC withdraws letters calling for the removal of the VC and naming an acting VC and future declarations void. He has petitioned the court to bar Prof. Aheto from acting as VC. The University of Cape Coast (UCC) is the second respondent to the suit.

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.

GTEC on Friday, September 19 ordered the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to step down over prolonged tenure. According to a letter dated Friday, September 19, 2025, GTEC noted that Prof Nyarko has been in his current position beyond the compulsory retirement age of 60.

This, it emphasized, violates Article 199(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which stipulates that public officers must retire at age 60 unless otherwise provided.

“The Office of the Vice-Chancellor, being an office established under Section 7(1) of the University of Cape Coast Act, 1992 (PNDCL 278), is a public office under the meaning and intendment of Article 199(1). Hence, anyone acting in the office of the Vice-Chancellor is presumptively mandated to proceed on compulsory retirement upon attaining 60 years,” the letter stated.

According to GTEC, the University of Cape Coast Statutes (2016), sets the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure at an initial four years; however, it can be extended to three years if the person hasn’t already reached the official retirement age set by law.

In this regard, GTEC has instructed Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, to act as Vice-Chancellor in the interim. Meanwhile, the Commission has asked the UCC Governing Council to put the hiring of a new VC on hold until the court or authorities settle the matter.

In 2024, reports suggested that the Governing Council of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) removed Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong from his position as Vice-Chancellor. Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong officially assumed office in August 2020 after being appointed in June 2020 and was expected to end on July 31, 2024.

Despite an earlier claim of a two-year extension to his term, the Governing Council declared this extension null and void, according to reports.

In a statement signed by UCC’s Governing Council Chairman, Professor Harold S. Amonoo-Kuofi, it stated “Please note that the purported renewal/extension of your appointment as Vice-Chancellor at the Council’s meeting on the 28th of July 2023, for a term of two (2) years effective 1st August 2024, is void and consequently same is revoked as it breaches the University’s Statutes on renewal of appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.”

The notice further explained that while extensions to Prof. Boampong’s appointment are permissible, no official extension decision has been made.

“While your appointment may be extended by 2 years at a time up to a maximum of 5 years beyond your retirement age by contract, as provided in Article 199 clause (4) above, there has not yet been any such contractual extension.

"And such extension is applicable only to your appointment as a member of the University in general, but not applicable to your position as the Vice-Chancellor, since the University’s Statutes has placed a limit on same in Statute 8.2.”

Prof. Boampong has been encouraged to submit a formal application if he wishes to continue in his role.

“You may, however, apply to Council for its consideration in line with laid down procedure for the purpose of renewing your term as Vice-Chancellor for a period not exceeding your retirement age and which does not breach the Constitution and the University’s Statutes,” he is reported to have stated.

In an unrelated development, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission has raised alarm over the increasing trend of individuals adopting honorary titles such as "Doctor" and "Professor" after receiving such recognitions from institutions in Ghana and abroad.

GTEC noted that these titles, often used by awardees, tend to confuse and mislead both the public and academic communities.The Commission said it is compelled to clarify its stance on the matter to safeguard academic integrity.

“In light of this trend, the Commission has observed the use of the titles Doctor (Dr) and Professor (Prof) by recipients of such awards.These practices are deemed misleading and serve to misinform both the academic community and the general public.

Consequently, the Commission seeks to clarify its position on this matter for the benefit of the public and those affected,” the Commission said in a statement.

According to GTEC, honorary degrees should be given sparingly to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary achievement and service that reflect the mission and values of the awarding institution.

However, it emphasized that such honours must only come from institutions accredited and recognized under Ghana’s higher education system. The Commission warned that using honorary titles as part of one’s official name or professional identity is improper and violates sections of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act, 2020 (Act 1023), along with other relevant laws.

“The Mandate of GTEC: Section 8 (3) d of the Education Regulatory Bodies Act mandates the Commission to regulate the use of higher education nomenclature and titles, including 'university,' 'college,' 'Emeritus,' 'Professor,' 'Doctor,' 'Chartered,' and related terms," the statement pointed out.

GTEC urged individuals to take personal responsibility by avoiding the misuse of honorary titles and cautioned stakeholders in the education sector to act with restraint when conferring such distinctions.

Reaffirming its commitment to upholding academic standards, GTEC said it reserves the right to take regulatory action against anyone or any institution involved in practices that could erode the value of academic credentials or mislead the general public.