Injunction filed to restrain UCC vice chancellor’s tenure extension

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) and its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko-Boampong, have been served with an injunction application seeking to prevent Prof. Nyarko-Boampong from continuing in his role.

John Mevemeo, a resident of Millennium City-Kasoa, in the Central Region, argues that the UCC’s decision to renew Prof. Nyarko-Boampong’s appointment until July 31, 2026, violates the 1992 Constitution and should be declared void.

The order for an interlocutory injunction aims to restrain Prof. Nyarko-Boampong from performing any duties as vice chancellor after his current term ends on July 31, 2024, pending the final determination of the suit, myjoyonline.com reports.

Mevemeo contends that the UCC Council’s decision breaches Article 199(1) of the Constitution and Statutes 8.15 and 8.16 of the UCC Statutes 2016.

Prof. Nyarko-Boampong’s initial four-year term began on August 1, 2020, and was set to conclude on July 31, 2024.

According to UCC statutes, his tenure could be renewed for up to three years, provided it does not extend beyond the statutory retirement age of 60.

Born on September 18, 1965, Prof. Nyarko-Boampong should retire by September 18, 2025, making the extension to July 31, 2026, illegal, according to the plaintiff.

The plaintiff asserts that the UCC governing council, which has the authority to appoint the vice chancellor, renewed the appointment during a meeting on July 28, 2023.

This renewal, he argues, is a clear breach of Article 199(1) of the 1992 Constitution and did not comply with the procedural requirements outlined in Statutes 8.15 and 8.16 of the UCC Statutes 2016 and Article 195(3) of the Constitution.

Mevemeo states that these procedural lapses will be proven during the hearing, raising serious triable issues.

He also notes that the UCC statutes provide sufficient provisions for the university’s administration in the absence or incapacity of the vice chancellor, arguing that the university will not face undue hardship if Prof. Nyarko-Boampong is restrained from performing his duties after July 31, 2024, the report indicated.