Legal academic and activist Stephen Kwaku Asare, also known as Kwaku Azar, has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong.
Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) recently directed Prof. Boampong to vacate his office, citing Article 199(1) of the Constitution, which mandates retirement at age 60 for public officers. On the surface, the directive seems clear-cut, but Asare notes the situation is more complex.
Prof. Boampong, appointed VC in 2020 and reappointed in 2023, continued in office past his 60th birthday in September 2025.
An alumnus challenged the renewal in court, prompting the Cape Coast High Court to initially issue an injunction to restrain him.
The court later granted a stay of execution, allowing Prof. Boampong to remain in office while the substantive case is resolved.
Amid this, the UCC Council Chairman attempted to terminate his appointment, prompting strong opposition from the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), which described the move as “unlawful and unilateral.”
UTAG maintains that the renewal followed due process and cautioned against destabilizing the institution.
Asare emphasized that GTEC must proceed with caution.
“Yes, Article 199(1) fixes retirement at 60. But Article 199(4) provides exceptions, permitting post-retirement engagements of up to two years at a time, not exceeding five years, if service demands require it.
“Whether a VC’s renewal falls into that exception is precisely what the courts must decide,” he explained.
He further noted the conflict between the regulator’s directive and the judiciary. “The court has said; ‘let the VC stay until we decide.’
GTEC is now saying; ‘leave now, we’ve decided.’ Regulators cannot overrule judges. The wiser course for GTEC is to hold its horses and allow the High Court to finish its work,” Asare concluded.
