A legal storm has engulfed the Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS) following a disputed presidential election, with the matter now before the
A legal storm has engulfed the Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS) following a disputed presidential election, with the matter now before the High Court of Justice in Accra.
The dispute, which has intensified tensions within the Union, centers on allegations of irregularities in the conduct of the Union’s December 2025 elections and the handling of funds earmarked for the electoral congress.
The lawsuit, filed on December 22, 2025, by Anum Alfred Adjetey, acting as manager, and Eunice Esi Esaaba Essien, a member of GUPS, names as defendants Joyland Dedey Mensah, the immediate past President of GUPS, the Ghana Union of Professional Students itself, and Mr. Kwaku Boakye Appiah.
The plaintiffs have sought multiple remedies, including a declaration affirming Esaaba Essien as the validly elected President of the Union, nullification of the elections held on December 21, 2025, recovery of a sum of GHC 35,000 paid for congress fees, and injunctions restraining the defendants from holding themselves out as elected executives or participating in handover ceremonies.
The roots of the dispute trace back to payments made by the plaintiffs to the outgoing President, Joyland Dedey Mensah, totaling GHC 35,000.
According to the plaintiffs, these funds were meant to cover institutional dues and electoral congress expenses to enable Esaaba Essien and other members to participate in the election process.
The plaintiffs contend that upon receipt of the payment, Mensah issued twenty receipts as proof and assured that the election would be conducted on the agreed date.
However, contrary to these assurances, Mensah allegedly postponed the election to December 14, 2025, and subsequently informed the plaintiffs that the new venue she had secured at Lakeside University was not approved, directing them to find a venue at their own expense.
The plaintiffs then obtained permission from Knutsford University to hold the elections in its car park. On the scheduled date, Mensah reportedly arrived with a police team attempting to halt the congress, claiming it was unauthorized.
After verifying that permission had been duly obtained, the police departed, and the elections proceeded successfully.
Esaaba Essien was declared the duly elected President, with a full slate of executives also elected.
Tensions escalated when Mensah publicly challenged the legitimacy of the elections, asserting that her consent had not been sought and that she did not endorse the newly elected leadership.
The plaintiffs argue that this action constitutes a breach of contract and wrongful retention of the GHC 35,000, with the defendants failing to refund the funds despite repeated demands.
Matters further intensified when Mensah and the Union Secretariat purportedly conducted another election on December 21, 2025, which resulted in the election of Mr. Kwaku Boakye Appiah as Union President, a move the plaintiffs allege undermines the previously conducted election.
In their High Court filing, the plaintiffs are seeking: a declaration confirming Esaaba Essien as the validly elected President; nullification of the December 21 elections; repayment of GHC 35,000 with interest; injunctions restraining the 3rd Defendant and other participants from exercising authority or holding themselves out as executives; prohibition of any handover ceremonies involving the purportedly illegally elected officials; and coverage of legal fees and other incidental costs.
The matter has been assigned Suit No. 025 before the High Court, with the defendants required to enter their appearance within eight days of service.
The case marks a significant test of internal governance and constitutional adherence within GUPS, reflecting longstanding tensions around electoral processes, transparency, and accountability in student unions across Ghana.
This legal dispute follows months of internal challenges for GUPS, including postponed elections and a contested emergency delegates congress, which had previously drawn widespread attention from member institutions, alumni, and student representative councils nationwide.
The outcome of this case is expected to have far-reaching implications for the Union’s governance and the recognition of its leadership.
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