In the spirit of celebrating Ghanaian culture and tradition, the University Junior High School, University of Cape Coast, has held a Traditional Day Celebration.
The day was used to showcase the traditional clothes of the various ethnic groups in the country to inculcate in the pupils the need to value the Ghanaian traditional fashion. The students made merry with traditional Ghanaian dishes and beverages.
The celebration was in line with ‘Ghana Month,’ a month-long celebration dedicated to recognizing and promoting Ghana's rich cultural heritage. Celebrated in March each year, it is to foster national pride and unity.
Headmistress of UJHS, Mrs Eleanor Onyame, addressing the students
At the ceremony, the pupils dressed in the traditional attire of the various tribes in the country and performed some traditional dances.
The Headmistress, Mrs Eleanor Onyame, said it was important to imbibe in children the African and Ghanaian way of dressing.
She said that the way people dress defines “who they are and where they are coming from," hence, pupils must be taught and encouraged to dress in their traditional attire during specific occasions.
Some students during a performance
Mrs Onyame said the school would continue to teach the children to appreciate their cultural values.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (CANS) of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has presented a Citation of Honour to the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Denis Aheto, following his appointment and investiture as the Pro Vice-Chancellor.
The Provost, Prof. Moses Jojo Eghan, presenting the citation, expressed delight at the appointment of Prof. Aheto and encouraged him to remain steadfast in his role, urging him to build on the successes he had encountered.
He described Prof. Aheto’s appointment as well-deserved, noting his distinguished academic career and familiarity with the UCC environment, which positions him well for success in his tenure.
Prof Eghan expressed the readiness of the College to support Prof. Aheto in all his endeavours.
In response, Prof. Aheto assured the Provost and his accompanying delegation of his commitment to support the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, in elevating the University during his tenure.
Provost, Prof. Moses Jojo Eghan (Right), presenting the citation to Prof. Aheto (Left)
He said he was looking forward to getting investors to set up students’ residential facilities to accommodate more students.
The citation presented to Prof. Aheto read in part, “The College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (CANS) extends its heartiest congratulations to you on your appointment as the new Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast. Your exceptional leadership, innovative vision, and unwavering commitment have undoubtedly driven you to this new height.”
It further read, “We eagerly anticipate the positive transformation and progress that your tenure as Pro Vice-Chancellor will undoubtedly bring to our university.”
The delegation from CANS also extended best wishes to the Pro Vice-Chancellor during his tenure.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Consultancy (DRIC) at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has held a day’s seminar on "Ethics in Scholarly Work".
The seminar consisted of a presentation by the Editor in Chief of Elsevier's Social, Science and Medicine journal, and a Professor and University Research Chair at the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, Canada, Prof. Susan J. Elliott.
Prof. Elliot, presenting on "Unpacking the Black Box of Academic Publishing," indicated the importance of ethics in scholarly work while highlighting the risks of academic dishonesty. She cautioned that students and researchers who engaged in misconduct could face severe penalties, including institutional blacklisting.
One of the key topics discussed was the growing threat of paper mills companies that charge researchers to have their work published in journals through fraudulent means. Prof. Elliott provided tips for identifying these deceptive services, noting signs such as papers that appear “too clean,” fake university affiliations, and the use of non-institutional email addresses.
Prof. Susan J. Elliott addressing participants in the seminar
Prof. Elliott acknowledged the potential risks of using Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly seeking to manipulate the publication process.
"Make sure you get it right at the beginning because we don’t allow author changes," Prof. Elliott cautioned.
She advised that when researchers want to publish, they should "focus on quality over quantity when submitting research, avoid data mining and unethical research shortcuts, and choose the right journal using tools like journal finders."
She concluded by encouraging all researchers present at the event to note that critiques of their works by Reviewers are not attacks on their personalities, hence, such comments should be taken in good faith.
Prof. David Teye Doku, the Director for DRIC, thanked Prof. Elliot for visiting UCC and making a very impactful presentation that will benefit all members of faculty. Prof. Doku also noted it was essential for all participants to put into practice the lessons learnt at the seminar.
Ahead of the seminar, Prof. Elliot paid a visit to the Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Denis W. Aheto.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
A delegation from the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) has paid a working visit to the University of Cape Coast (UCC) to learn from its best practices.
The leader of the MUBAS delegation, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ishmael B.M. Kosamu, indicated that the University of Cape Coast was chosen after a search across Africa for institutions where they could learn the business of university administration.
“...Whilst some universities may claim to be the best among African universities, we realised that in the whole of West Africa, UCC is number one and hence, our undoubted thought that this is the institution we have to learn from,” he explained.
Welcoming the delegation, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Denis W. Aheto, said the University was pleased to receive the delegation at UCC and was ready to render the needed assistance by sharing its best practices.
Prof. Aheto highlighted some of the remarkable achievements the University has chalked up over the years and also shared the history of UCC with the delegation. He pointed out that the initial mandate of the University was to train teachers for the country, however, this has currently been expanded to cover various academic disciplines.
Pro VC of UCC, Prof. Aheto (L), receiving a token from the Deputy VC of MUBAS, Prof. Ishmael B.M. Kosamu (middle). With them is the Registrar UCC, Mr. Enoch Abbeyquaye.
The Provost of the College of Distance Education-UCC, Prof. Anokye Mohammed Adam, and Directors of some directorates of UCC who were present at the meeting took turns to explain the mandates of their respective areas and how they all feed into achieving the vision and mission of the University.
The MUBAS delegation will have interactions with the various directorates to understand their operation and how best they can learn from them.
The Registrar of UCC, Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye (Esq), in a brief remark, also expressed excitement over the MUBAS visit and noted that the relationship between the two institutions should not be a flash in the pan but one that would blossom for their mutual interest.
Prof. Aheto and Prof. Kosamu exchanged souvenirs from their respective institutions.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
Some Nigerian student leaders have undergone a leadership training programme to equip them with the requisite skills and knowledge to impact others.
The workshop, organised by the Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA) at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), also aimed at enhancing the leadership competencies, skills, practices, and attitudes of student leaders from African universities to empower them to serve as role models.
The programme brought together student leaders from Nigerian Universities, including the Federal University of Technology (Akure), the University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, and Al-Hikmah University.
The Director-General of IEPA, Prof. Michael Boakye-Yiadom, reaffirmed the institute’s dedication to leadership training, citing its role as a UNESCO Centre of Excellence. Stressing the importance of leadership development, he stated, "Great leaders develop other great people, so there is a need to train leaders. Leadership is a cause, and everything else is an effect."
He further highlighted the impact of strong student leadership on national and industrial leadership, stating, "When student leaders get it right, it will increase the chances of having great industry and national leaders."
Director-General of IEPA, Prof. Michael Boakye-Yiadom
He urged participants to embrace the concept of "leading for learning," ensuring that their leadership fosters academic excellence among students.
He said: “I believe leadership does not just happen, and we have to be intentional about how to develop and unearth their skills. It is very important to prepare them at a tender age for them to be well-prepared for various leadership roles wherever they find themselves.”
During an interactive session, Prof. Bro. Michael Amakye engaged participants in self-reflection exercises, encouraging them to outline their passions, talents, and goals. He guided them in deriving their missions based on these attributes, reinforcing the idea that leadership should be purpose-driven.
Speaking on leadership qualities, Prof. Amakye said student leaders should have personal mission statements, core values and outline their passions that would drive them to inspire others and achieve a particular task.
According to him, the expectations of student leaders in various institutions had a great impact on the student body and resulted in a good reputation for their universities.
The student leaders during a presentation
He noted, "A leader can influence others to achieve a goal or task."
He emphasized that true leadership is about inspiring others to work towards a common objective, fostering a culture of discipline, integrity, and vision.
He mentioned integrity, authenticity, vision, honesty, and open-mindedness as some timeless models for today’s leaders.
Some of the students commended the organisers of the programme, saying that it had gone a long way to expose them to things they did not know.
The students also pledged to exhibit various leadership characteristics such as being selfless, caring, loving, confident, creative and communicating effectively.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The Directorate of University Health Services (DUHS) at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has commemorated the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day with a community outreach programme to raise awareness about the disease and promote early detection and treatment.
World Tuberculosis Day, observed annually on March 24, was established by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) in 1982 to mark the 100th anniversary of Dr. Robert Koch’s discovery of the TB bacillus. The global event seeks to highlight the impact of tuberculosis and the urgent need for proactive healthcare interventions.
As part of this year’s observance, DUHS organized a free health screening at Duakor, one of the communities close to the University. The screening covered tuberculosis, malaria, body mass index (BMI) checks, and a mental health awareness session for community members.
Speaking at the event, the Director of DUHS, Dr. James Prah, reaffirmed UCC’s commitment to providing quality healthcare services, particularly in early disease detection and prevention. He further emphasized the University’s dedication to community outreach.
"The University of Cape Coast Hospital has taken it upon ourselves to also reach out to the communities. So, when there are world health days like this, we celebrate with them through such outreaches."
Some of the residents being screened
Dr. Prah further highlighted the importance of these initiatives, adding, "This is one of the public health services that we do, and also, letting the community benefit from us as a health facility that is within their enclave."
Mrs. Rebecca Baafi-Sarbeng, the In-Charge of the Public Health Unit, explained that the decision to hold the outreach program was driven by the increasing number of tuberculosis cases reported at the UCC Hospital.
She noted, "What we have seen or observed is that tuberculosis has become a common issue because many people who come to the hospital with a cough and other symptoms test positive when we conduct the test. So, we decided to hold this event at this particular place."
She further emphasized the importance of immediate medical intervention for those diagnosed with TB.
In addition to the tuberculosis screening, the programme included a mental health awareness session, which focused on educating community members about the harmful effects of drug abuse and excessive alcohol consumption.
The DUHS team also provided screening for malaria, checks for blood pressure and BMI, eye care, and mental health. Mental health professionals were present to offer guidance and support to those in need.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, has led a delegation to the Jubilee House to pay a courtesy call to the Vice President, Her Excellency Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit was to formally congratulate Prof. Opoku-Agyemang as Ghana's first female Vice President. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, herself a trailblazer in academia, was the first female Vice-Chancellor of a public university in Ghana, having served at UCC from 2008 to 2012.
Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Boampong expressed the University community's pride in seeing one of their own ascend to such a high national office. "The entire UCC family is delighted that our former Vice-Chancellor has made us proud once again. Her Excellency, your achievement inspires not just women but all Ghanaians," he stated.
Her Excellency Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang in a discussion with the Vice-Chancellor and UCC delegation
During the meeting, Prof. Boampong extended special congratulations to two members of staff of UCC, Prof. Theresah Patrine Ennin and Mrs. Alberta Yaa Graham for their recent appointments to the Office of the Vice President. "Your appointment to serve the nation at the seat of government brings great pride to our University Community," he remarked.
The Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed UCC's commitment to supporting national development under the leadership of Ghana's first female Vice President. "Your Excellency can always count on UCC's expertise and commitment to execute any task for national progress."
Prof. Boampong mentioned that UCC had increased admissions of students to its main campus in Cape Coast and satellite campuses in Accra, Agona Nyakrom and Dominase.
"While we celebrate increasing enrollment as a mark of confidence in our institution, we urgently need expanded facilities to maintain quality teaching and learning standards," Prof. Boampong noted.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto, recounted UCC’s remarkable achievements during Prof. Opoku-Agyemang's tenure as Vice-Chancellor.
"The foundations you laid during your administration continue to bear fruit in UCC's current global recognition as a leading institution," Prof. Aheto remarked.
Presentation of an art portrait to H.E. Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
In her response, the Vice President expressed gratitude for the visit, noting UCC's pivotal role in Ghana's educational landscape. "UCC has consistently been at the forefront of higher education in Ghana. I'm fully aware of the challenges facing the University and public tertiary education in general," she stated.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang assured that steps would be taken to address these challenges, noting that "Education remains central to the government's reset agenda for national development." She commended UCC's contributions to human capital development and pledged her support for the University's growth.
H. E. Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang with the UCC delegation after the meeting
The Vice-Chancellor’s delegation included the Registrar, Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye (Esq); Chairman of the College of Professors, Prof. Samuel Yeboah Mensah; Head, Department of Sociology and Anthropology and a former Director of the Centre for Gender, Research and Advocacy (CEGRAD), Prof. Georgina Yaa Oduro; Women Executive Officer of University Teachers Association of Ghana, (UTAG), UCC, Dr. Martha Osei-Marfo and a representative of the Department of English, Dr. Samuel Kwesi Nkansah. Also present was the Director, Directorate of Public Affairs, Major (rtd). Kofi Baah-Bentum.
Source: Documentation and Information Section
The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has graduated 63 inmates of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison in the Eastern Region who have successfully completed their undergraduate programmes through the College of Distance Education (CoDE).
Of the number, three (3) students passed out with first class in Bachelor of Education (JHS Education), while 10 students came out with Second Class Upper Division, 19 with Second Class Lower Division and six (6) with third class, as well as one (1) with pass.
In the Bachelor of Commerce (Management), one (1) had second class upper division, seven (7) had second class lower division, three (3) with third class and six (6) with passes.
With regards to Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), two ((2) with second class upper division, two (2) with class lower division, one with third class and two had pass.
The students were made up of 58 males and 5 females, with the Overall Best Graduating Student being Mathew Milluzieh with a CGPA of 3.8.
Special prizes and awards were presented by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Denis Aheto with assistance from the Provost of the CoDE, Prof. Anokye Mohammed Adam to graduands who had first class.
By this feat, UCC will offer them with a scholarship package to pursue a master’s programme with CoDE when they finish their prison term.
Prof. Denis Aheto addressing the graduands
In an address read on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong by the Pro. Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Denis Aheto, during the 9th Session of the 57th congregation, Prof. Baompong congratulated the graduands on their sterling academic performances regardless of the challenges in the prison.
He also praised the President of the Plan Volta Foundation Mr. Prince Solomon for the initiative.
Prof. Boampong indicated that UCC had invested nearly ₵2.5 million waiving tuition fees to ensure that inmates willing to pursue tertiary education were not denied.
“UCC continues to absorb the costs of hiring tutors, supplying learning modules and managing complex logistics between Cape Coast and Nsawam. We are proud of what we have achieved but we cannot do it alone,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor, therefore, called on GETFUND, Scholarship Secretariat, NGOs and corporate bodies as well as compassionate individuals to partner with the University.
“ With your support we can sustain this programme but also extend it to other correctional facilities across the nation,” he added.
Prof. Boampong said that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission had problems with the Study Center at Nsawam and therefore called for massive infrastructure development at the center.
“I propose that the existing facilities to be upgraded to meet the expected standard,” he stressed
He told the students : “By choosing education, you are making a powerful statement about commitment to personal growth and positive change. You are proving that past circumstances do not define future potentials.
Deputy Minister of the Interior, Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi speaking at the event
The Deputy Minister of the Interior, Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, in a remark, said the government would continue to support rehabilitation programmes of the Ghana Prisons Service and lauded the University for its forward thinking approach to rehabilitation.
“I urge you to view this moment not as the end of the journey but as the beginning of a new chapter. The knowledge and skills you have gained, you can use it to build a better future for yourselves and families,” he told the graduates.
He said the inmates now have the opportunity to be change makers, leaders and role models who could inspire others in similar situations to pursue education, personal development and effect change.
The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, for her part, lauded Plan Volta Foundation and UCC for bringing tertiary education to the doorstep of inmates.
She congratulated the graduands for their perseverance and success, saying: “ As pacesetters, you have started on a high note, you cannot lower the bar.”
Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie expressed the hope that the graduands would use the knowledge acquired to the benefit of society with a total mind change to live meaningful lives beyond the walls of prisons.
Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie
She indicated the readiness of the GPS to support inmates to further their education to climb the academic ladder.
“You don’t have to be a bachelors holder or somebody with masters. There are more than enough programmes here and all the serious ones must endeavour to go through the programmes to become employable when discharged,” she stated.
The President of the Plan Volta Foundation, Mr. Prince Solomon, appealed to the National Identification Authority (NIA) to provide graduands with Ghana Cards to enable those who had served their sentences embark on their national service.
He also appealed to the government to give graduands with education backgrounds who had finished serving their sentence with automatic employment as teachers to serve the nation.
The President of the Plan Volta Foundation, Mr. Prince Solomon
He appealed to the government to support the programme so that it could be extended to other prison facilities.
“ We are, however, yet to receive support from the government. We urge the government to support us to sustain this noble programme,” he said.
Source: Documentation and Information Section
The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has commemorated the 2025 World Water Day with a passionate call for collective action to protect water bodies.
The event, organised under the auspices of the School of Sustainable Engineering, brought together stakeholders, environmental experts, lecturers, administrators, students from tertiary and senior high schools, and members of the public to discuss the urgent need for sustainable water management.
The theme for the celebration, “Preservation Glaciers (Rivers)” highlights the significance of glaciers as natural freshwater reservoirs. It is estimated that glaciers store approximately 69% of the world's freshwater, gradually releasing it into rivers and lakes, which sustains drinking water supplies, agriculture, and hydroelectric power generation.
Speaking at the event, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto, noted that the commemoration of World Water Day put a spotlight on the global water crisis and advocated sustainable water resource management.
Prof. Deni Aheto, speaking at the event
“Water is life, yet over 2.2 billion people worldwide still lack access to safe drinking water. Many communities, particularly in developing countries, rely on rivers, lakes, and underground water sources for survival,” he noted.
Prof. Aheto lamented the devastating impact of illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, on Ghana’s water bodies. He was worried that rivers and lakes were being polluted with harmful chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, making them unsafe for consumption and causing harm to aquatic life.
“The destruction of our water bodies is also depleting fish stocks and threatening biodiversity. If we do not take decisive action now, future generations will suffer dire consequences,” he warned.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor urged all stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, and local communities, to join forces to protect Ghana’s water resources.
In his address, the Central Regional Director, Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Omanhene Kwaku Boateng, mentioned the recent cholera outbreaks, water shortages, and the alarming pollution levels in vital water bodies such as the Pra and Kakum rivers as urgent indicators of a looming crisis.
Omanhene Kwaku Boateng giving his address at the programme
“These incidents should serve as a clarion call for all of us to act now,” he noted and called for urgent action to address these pressing issues.
He urged the academic community to intensify research efforts and propose cost-effective methods for preserving and producing clean, hygienic water for both domestic and commercial use.
Mr. Boateng called upon students to take an active role in environmental conservation by initiating tree-planting projects along the banks of rivers and other water bodies. He said this would help restore degraded ecosystems and safeguard water resources for future generations.
A drama by students of Ghana National College
The Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Sustainable Engineering, UCC, Prof. Albert Ebo Duncan, pointed out that while approximately 71 per cent of the Earth's surface was covered by water, only about 2.5 percent of this is freshwater, with the vast majority being saline.
He further noted that a significant portion of this freshwater was trapped in glaciers and ice caps, leaving less than one per cent readily available for human use.
“There is a saying that goes ‘water is life.’ If that saying is true, then all the water bodies would not be facing pollution, deforestation, extraction, and other threats,” he emphasized.
Prof. Duncan noted that the event was a reminder of the collective responsibility of all to ensure the sustainability and health of water resources for future generations.
The Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Prof. Jojo Eghan, averred that water is essential to life, urging everyone to diligently protect this vital natural resource to ensure the preservation of life.
Remark by the Prof. Moses Jojo Eghan
Prof. Eghan who chaired the function advised that safeguarding water bodies was crucial for sustaining ecosystems and human health.