UCC in Turmoil as V-C Dismissal Decision Sparks Controversy and Legal Battle

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) in the Central Region is embroiled in a state of confusion and legal controversy following the contentious reversal of a decision to dismiss Vice-Chancellor Prof Johnson Nyarko Boampong.

The upheaval began with the abrupt cancellation of Prof Boampong’s reappointment by the new Council chair, Prof Harod S. Amonoo-Kuofi, citing the move as a ‘unilateral’ decision.

This move sparked a chain of events that has rocked the university community. Initially appointed for a four-year term in June 2020, Prof Nyarko Boampong’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor was set to end on July 31, 2024.

However, a twist emerged on July 28, 2023, when the Governing Council, under Chairman Prof. Obeng Wireku, renewed and extended Prof Nyarko Boampong’s appointment for an additional two years, from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2026.

The decision to dismiss Prof Boampong was swiftly contested by John Mevemeo, a resident of Kasoa Millennium-City in the Central Region, who sought an injunction at the Cape Coast High Court to prevent the implementation of the dismissal and reappointment decisions.

The situation escalated further as the Council’s decision to terminate Prof Boampong’s contract was challenged by seven members of the UCC Governing Council and the UCC branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).

They denounced the Council chair’s unilateral action and affirmed that no such decision had been made during the Council meetings.

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) intervened, instructing Prof Johnson Nyarko Boampong to remain in his role as Vice-Chancellor while an investigation into the matter unfolds. GTEC emphasized the importance of adherence to due process and clarity in resolving the controversy.

As the legal battle unfolds, with a court date set for August 15, 2024, the plaintiff, John Mevemeo, is challenging the renewal of Prof Boampong’s appointment, citing constitutional violations and procedural irregularities.

The unfolding saga at UCC highlights the complex web of legal, governance, and procedural challenges entangling the university hierarchy, with significant implications for its leadership and future direction.