Accra, March 4, – Professor Emmanuel Ohene Afoakwa has initiated legal action at the High Court in Accra over his removal as Vice-Chancellor of the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU).
In court documents filed on March 4, 2026, the academic is contesting the legality of the decision and asking the court to declare the termination of his appointment invalid.
Prof Afoakwa maintains that his contract as Vice-Chancellor remains in force and runs until February 28, 2029.
He argues that the decision to remove him from office breached due process and denied him the opportunity to respond to any allegations.
According to the statement of claim, the plaintiff said he was never formally notified of any wrongdoing or invited to respond before being directed to step aside.
Instead, he said letters dated February 3 and February 26, 2026, informed him that his appointment would end on February 28, 2026, and that another officer had assumed the role of Vice-Chancellor.
Prof Afoakwa contends that the action violated provisions on fair hearing under the GCTU Act, 2020 (Act 1022), as well as Article 19(13) of the 1992 Constitution.
“The arbitrary exercise of discretionary power… without hearing the Plaintiff… is simply unlawful,” the statement of claim stated.
Court filings indicate that Prof Afoakwa was first appointed Vice-Chancellor for a four-year term from March 1, 2021, to February 28, 2025.
He said the university later extended the appointment by another four years through a letter dated August 20, 2024, covering the period from March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2029, which he accepted on August 31, 2024.
He insists that the contract remains valid and legally binding.
Meanwhile, a letter signed by Mr Divine Kpetigo, Chairman of the GCTU Governing Council, announced the cessation of office of the Vice-Chancellor effective February 28, 2026.
The letter further indicated that Professor Ebenezer Malcolm, Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, had been tasked to perform the functions of Vice-Chancellor in an acting capacity pending further direction from the Council.
The acting appointment, according to the letter, was to ensure leadership continuity and institutional stability at the university.
However, Prof Afoakwa is asking the court to nullify the decision, arguing that the acting arrangement cannot stand because he has not been lawfully removed from office.
Among the reliefs he is seeking are declarations that his removal was unlawful and void, an order restraining the university authorities from interfering with his duties, and a ruling affirming that he remains the substantive Vice-Chancellor.
He is also seeking damages for alleged breach of contract and violation of his fundamental human rights, as well as costs associated with the legal action.
GHBUSS
4 March 2026
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