Withdraw unlawful, criminal sanctions within 48 hours – UCC UTAG takes on GTEC

The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), University of Cape Coast (UCC) chapter, has given the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) a strict 48-hour deadline to withdraw its sanctions against the university.

The ultimatum, issued by UTAG-UCC Secretary Dr Isaac Boabeng, was prompted by GTEC’s decision to suspend all government-related support and services to UCC and to label the institution “non-existent” on its official portal. GTEC says the sanctions stem from UCC’s alleged failure to comply with directives on the tenure of Vice-Chancellor Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong.

Speaking to journalists, Dr Boabeng condemned the Commission’s actions as “unlawful” and “unjustifiable”, and described them as a direct attack on the livelihoods and dignity of university staff. “We, UTAG and other unions on campus, categorically reject this publication in its content as unlawful, unjustifiable, and a direct attack on the dignity and the livelihood of the university staff,” he said.

He sharply criticised the withdrawal of government support, particularly any move that could affect the payment of salaries, calling it both “reckless and criminal.” “Salaries are not privileges that someone can whimsically say, ‘I have withdrawn.’ It is unacceptable to deny the university staff what is due them unjustifiably, unlawfully. I mean, it’s criminal and should be treated with the contempt it deserves,” Dr Boabeng added.

UTAG has demanded that GTEC withdraw the directive and issue a formal apology by Thursday or Friday. If GTEC fails to comply, the university’s staff unions have threatened to march in protest.

“If GTEC fails to do it in the coming days by Thursday, Friday we are all marching to Accra. They should come and lock the University of Cape Coast and take the keys to Accra. GTEC and Professor Okloh should understand that there are laws in this country,” Dr Boabeng warned.