Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has issued a stern warning against violent student confrontations on campus.
Speaking at the 2025/26 matriculation ceremony for undergraduate and postgraduate students, he cautioned that the university would not hesitate to sack students who engaged in inter-hall fights, citing the financial and security implications of such clashes.
“We don’t want any form of confrontations between the halls. Last year, what we saw was not good.
Immediately after the matriculation ceremony, clashes broke out, and we incurred significant security costs.
“This year, if it happens, I will be the first person to show you the gate of this university, and you will go back home,” he stated.
The university formally admitted 24,457 students, comprising 19,473 undergraduates and 4,984 postgraduates, at the brief but solemn ceremony held physically and online.
Notably, UCC admitted 10,023 females and 9,450 males to its undergraduate programmes, a development that made the Acting Vice Chancellor elated, as more females are climbing the academic ladder.
For postgraduate studies, 2,766 males and 2,218 females were admitted.
Prof. Aheto indicated that 12,474 students would study on campus, 11,669 through distance learning, and 315 at their satellite campuses.
Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Cape Coast
Mr Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye, the Registrar of the University, administered the matriculation oath, immediately after which the Acting Vice Chancellor officially matriculated them.
Prof. Aheto congratulated the students on their admission, assuring them that they made the best choice by joining the top-ranked university in Ghana and West Africa.
He said the matriculation oath affirmed their status as students of the institution and entitled them to all of its rights and privileges.
Similarly, they were sworn to abide by all school rules and regulations and to uphold the university’s objectives and goals.
He urged the students to uphold the core values of UCC, namely academic excellence, equal opportunities, empowerment, ethical behaviour and environmental consciousness as the university continued to achieve global accomplishments.
Aside from the academic training, the Acting Vice Chancellor said students were trained morally and socially, stressing that the lecturers were committed to helping them understand the world and society.
“Our expectation is that, by the time you graduate, you will imbibe the virtues of discipline, responsibility, patriotism and be ready to contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.
Prof. Aheto admonished the students to attend lectures regularly, complete assignments on time, take their quizzes seriously and participate actively in all learning activities on campus or in the field.
“We’re committed to helping you achieve your dreams. Do your part as we do our part by studying hard and adhering to the rules and regulations of the university,” he stated.
Prof. Aheto acknowledged persistent challenges with students’ on-campus residential accommodation but reiterated management’s efforts to address them and enhance the student experience.
He said the school’s management had already begun engaging private investors from Ghana and abroad for public-private partnerships to address accommodation challenges.
The management was also engaging with the government through the Big Push agenda, aimed at addressing critical infrastructure deficits and fostering economic transformation, he added.
Regarding campus security, Prof. Aheto urged students to use only approved routes to and from campus and to walk in pairs to avoid attacks, especially at night.
He noted that a police patrol team had been deployed to ensure campus safety and security, but urged students to remain vigilant and take responsibility for their personal safety at all times.
On health, the Acting Vice Chancellor encouraged students to promptly seek medical attention at the school’s medical facilities when necessary.
Prof. Aheto advised them to stay committed to their goals and work hard to achieve academic excellence, adding that “what you will become will depend on the decisions you take today.”
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