In a letter dated February 11, 2026, the unions—UTAG-GCTU, GAU-GCTU, SSA-UoG-GCTU, and TEWU-GCTU—expressed “grave concern” over recent governance developments at the institution.

The petition states that on February 3, 2026, the Council Chairman issued a letter terminating the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor, effective February 28, 2026. According to the unions, the decision was taken without the approval or deliberation of the full Council.

“The said letter referenced GCTU/GOV/COL/26 was issued without the approval, deliberation, or resolution of a duly convened meeting of the University Council,” the petition said.

The unions argue that the action does not constitute a lawful decision of the University Council but represents a unilateral move by the Chairman.

“We respectfully submit that this action does not constitute a decision of the University Council but rather represents a unilateral act of the Council Chairman, undertaken in clear contravention of the Ghana Communication Technology University Act, 2020 (Act 1022), and the University Statutes,” the letter stated.

They further alleged that similar actions in the past have weakened governance structures, eroded staff confidence, and compromised the Council’s authority.

“Members of staff are gravely concerned that these recurring actions have eroded confidence in the Governing Council, compromised its collective authority, and adversely affected the credibility, dignity, and public image of the Ghana Communication Technology University,” the unions noted.

According to the unions, the developments have created uncertainty at a critical time, as the university prepares for admissions and the commencement of academic activities for new students.

The petition urges the Education Minister to declare the February 3 letter null and void and to reconstitute the Governing Council in line with Act 1022 and established governance principles.

“We trust in your timely intervention in the interest of peace, stability, and the long-term reputation of the Ghana Communication Technology University,” the unions concluded.

The Minister for Education is yet to publicly respond to the petition.

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Read the full statement below:

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Read the full statement below:

In an interview with Adom News, Council Chairman, Nana Ofori Ansah III, said elements within the university under the guise of concerned staff keep churning out fabricated stories about the chairman, Vice Chancellor and the management team.

He indicated that some individuals have resorted to the law court on simple administrative matters while others are using surrogates who most of the time have nothing to do with the university to disrupt academic work.

Nana Ansah said the university is ready to stretch a hand of friendship to all who are aggrieved to help resolve matters.

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The Chairman made these comments during the graduation ceremony for 15,000 students.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mawutor Avoke, also called on the graduates to embrace integrity, objectivity, honesty and use their critical thinking ability to solve problems in society.

Professor Mawutor Avoke has received a rousing welcome after he returned to the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) to continue his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor.

Amid heavy security presence, Prof Avoke was welcomed by the Governing Council chaired by Nana Ansah Ofori I and the management of the university.

This was on Monday, February 7, 2022, following the Winneba High Court’s order for reinstatement last week Wednesday after five years of legal tussle.

The court ruled that all others who lost their positions in the school or were affected by the long legal tussle should be reinstated.

Their salary arrears will also be paid to them with retrospective effect from the day they were unlawfully removed.

Addressing the gathering, Nana Ofori Ansah I reiterated Prof. Avoke was back in the school on the orders of the court which they have duly complied with.

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Prior to this, he had urged the Vice-Chancellor to demonstrate hunger for genuine and sustainable reconciliation as he returns to the university to complete his tenure.

Prof Avoke also, on his part, has pledged to bring unity among the lecturers.

He has assured commitment to reconcile with the persons who caused his removal upon his return.

Watch the video attached for more:

The Winneba High Court on Wednesday ordered the University to reinstate Prof. Mawukor Avoke as Vice-Chancellor and also some staff who were suspended for various acts.

The Chairman of the Council, Nana Ofori Ansah, said after receiving briefing from the lawyers, the best conclusion is to comply with the orders.

“We are complying with the orders of the court. The court says they should be reinstated and that is that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prof Avoke has said he will reconcile with the staff who battled him in court.

In a statement dated 2nd February 2022, Prof Avoke noted that he will resume duty as directed by the court.

He described the ruling as “a well-reasoned and sound judgment, giving effect to the principle of the rule of law as contained in the preamble of the Constitution of Ghana, 1992.

“Consequently, I genuinely expect that in the coming days, I will return to the office and perform all the duties that come with the office of Vice Chancellor for the next two years.

“Indeed, while I consider this judicial determination a total and final vindication of my position regarding the divisive issues that founded my removal from office, I am clear and certain in my mind that I will not boast over the outcome, no matter how reliving and joyous the judgment may seem,” he stated.

Prof Avoke promised to work in bringing unity to the institution.

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“I draw firm and complete inspiration from Nelson Mandela, an African icon who once said, ‘Reconciliation does not mean forgetting or trying to bury the pain of conflict, but that reconciliation means working together to correct the legacy of past injustice’.”

“Further, as a distinguished peacemaker, the late Mandela also once said:

‘Forgiveness liberates the soul, it removes fear. That’s why it’s such a powerful weapon.’

“Instead, and with the help of the Almighty God, I intend to work every day with all the genuineness of heart, skill, and diligence at my disposal to ensure that complete and total reconciliation is done between me and all the persons who may seem to have been vanquished by today’s judicial determination.”

According to the governing Council, the aggressive encroachment of the university’s land by some of its staff and residents of the satellite communities is posing a security threat to lives and property.

Speaking at the congregation ceremony of the university, Chairman of the Governing Council of UCC, Prof. Obeng Mireku appealed to the traditional authorities in Cape Coast to support the university to reclaim such lands and prevail on residents to desist from the sale of the university’s lands. 

The Times Higher Education ranking recently placed the University of Cape Coast high above its contemporaries. The University was adjudged first globally on research influence, 4^th best in Africa, first in West Africa, and 1^st in Ghana.

But the university has been battling with the encroachment of its lands. According to the university, the lands compulsorily acquired by the government and compensation paid are fast being encroached by residents including the staff of the university.

This, the university says, is posing a security challenge and limiting the university in its developmental drive.

Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Prof. Obeng Mireku at the congregation of the university served notice of demolition of all such structures on the university’s lands.

“Encroachment on the university’s lands has assumed an alarming proportion thereby posing a serious threat to future expansion of the university.

“The staff of the university is also advised to desist from such encroachments of the lands because pursuant to the Lands Act, Act 1036, the university management will begin an exercise to demolish all illegal structures on its lands,” he warned.

The university, he indicated, has concluded plans to erect walls along some of its boundaries. Work is ongoing in sections and also construct five electronic security gates at entrances of the university.

He intimated the university had finalized plans to erect walls along some of its boundaries and also began the installation of security entry points to the university. He made an appeal to the traditional authorities in Cape Coast.

“I wish to appeal to the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, and the chiefs of the satellite communities to show in the matter and prevail upon members of these communities to desist from selling and encroaching on the land,” he appealed.

Prof. Mireku intimated that in spite of the acquisition of the lands by government, should be proud of the position of the university on the Times Higher Education Rankings and support it by helping to safeguard the university’s land for future expansion and growth.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Joseph Nyarko Boampong revealed the pandemic has forced many researchers at the university to venture into areas of research that hitherto were no-go areas.

It is threatening to haul the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, before Parliament’s Education Committee to explain the councils’ delay.

The governing councils of the universities became defunct following the Presidential Transitions Act 2012, which states that all statutory boards and committees are dissolved before the coming into force of a new government.

Though government provided a five-month extension to allow for the proper reconstitution of the councils, it failed to meet its May 31 deadline leaving the schools with no legitimate body to issue degrees, approve appointments and promotions, among others.

In an exclusive interview with JoyNews, Ranking Member on Parliament’s Education Committee, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, said, “government must constitute the governing councils of the universities as soon as possible, at least within the next seven days.

“I am meeting the [Education Committee] chairman this morning to let the minister appear before the committee this week to tell us the step the ministry is taking to ensure that the councils are reconstituted.”

Already, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission says it has submitted all details about nominees for the councils to government.

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Peter Nortsu-Kotoe says government’s delay in constituting the governing councils is unacceptable.

“When you look at the composition of the governing councils, governments reps are just a few when you add them to the chairman. So I do not know why it is taking so long to constitute new councils,” he said.