5 Years in a Row: UCC Retains Position as Top University in Ghana and West Africa

2 weeks ago

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The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has once again cemented its dominance in higher education, maintaining its position as the number one university in Ghana and West Africa for the fifth consecutive year, according to the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (WUR).

This milestone places UCC firmly among Africa’s leading academic institutions, ranking 11th on the continent—a feat that underscores its sustained excellence in teaching, research, and innovation.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings remains one of the most respected global assessments of higher learning, evaluating institutions across five key dimensions: teaching environment, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry/knowledge transfer.

The 2026 edition assessed 2,191 universities from 115 countries and territories, marking one of the most competitive cycles in the ranking’s history. Institutions that did not meet the threshold were categorized as “reporters,” highlighting the rigorous nature of the evaluation process.

5 Years in a Row: UCC Retains Position as Top University in Ghana and West Africa

At a press briefing to announce the achievement, Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, praised the UCC community for their dedication and consistency in upholding academic excellence. “This feat remains a unique niche in Ghana’s higher education history. No other university in the country has held the top spot in the West African sub-region for this long,” he stated.

Prof. Aheto attributed the institution’s success to the collective effort of faculty, staff, and students who continue to demonstrate excellence in research and innovation. He emphasized that UCC’s recognition on both continental and global stages is the result of strategic investments in research capacity, data integrity, and global partnerships.

He added that UCC also ranked first in Ghana for quality education (SDG 4) in this year’s THE Impact Rankings, tying with Ashesi University. On the global scale, UCC was placed within the 101–200 band for Quality Education and became the only Ghanaian university ranked in the 101–200 band for Life Below Water (SDG 14)—a reflection of its strength in marine and environmental sciences.

“These accomplishments highlight our sustained commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through research and innovation,” Prof. Aheto noted. “They reflect the relentless efforts of our faculty, staff, and students toward producing research that has societal relevance and impact.”

He also commended the efforts of past university leadership, including former Vice-Chancellors and Pro Vice-Chancellors, for laying the foundation on which the current administration continues to build.

Acknowledging the crucial role of institutional collaboration, Prof. Aheto extended appreciation to the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC) for its meticulous work in data management and submission to THE over the past five years. He also thanked other key departments such as the Management Information Section (MIS), Directorate of Finance, Directorate of Human Resource, Office of International Relations (OIR), Student Records Management Section (SRMS), and the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) for their roles in the rankings process.

Prof. David Teye Doku, Director of DRIC-UCC, speaking on how the university could further boost its continental ranking, emphasized the need to strengthen high-quality teaching, interdisciplinary research, and community engagement. He noted that strategic partnerships with both local and international institutions would be key to enhancing UCC’s global influence and academic visibility.

Over the past decade, UCC has evolved into a research-intensive institution, focusing on sustainable education, technological advancement, and global academic integration. Its consistent ranking performance reaffirms its leadership role in higher education not only in Ghana but across Africa.

In 2024 and 2025, UCC’s global standing improved steadily, with the university recognized for its impactful contributions to environmental sustainability, marine conservation, and teacher education. Its continued success positions Ghana as a growing hub for quality higher education in sub-Saharan Africa, inspiring other universities in the region to strengthen their research and governance frameworks.

As the global academic landscape becomes increasingly competitive, UCC’s consistency signals a broader vision — one anchored in excellence, innovation, and impact-driven education. With a firm foothold in both research and social transformation, the University of Cape Coast continues to shine as a model of resilience and progress in the African higher education space.