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 2025/2026 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 confrontations between the halls. Last year, what we saw was not good.
Just after the matriculation ceremony, there were clashes and we spent so much money in bringing security.
“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 into its undergraduate programmes, a situation which made the Acting Vice Chancellor elated seeing more females climb up 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 the distance mode and 315 from their satellites campuses.
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 that they made the best choice by joining the topmost 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 enjoined by the oath to abide by all rules and regulations of the school and appreciate 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 for the academic training, the Acting Vice Chancellor said students were trained morally and socially, stressing that the lecturers were committed to helping them to understand the world and society.
“Our expectation is that, by the time you graduate, you will imbibe the virtues of discipline, responsibility, patriotism and 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 on 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 the persistent challenges with students’ residential accommodation on campus but reiterated management’s efforts at addressing the situation to enhance students’ experience.
He said management of the school had already started engaging some private investors from Ghana and outside for public private arrangements to address the accommodation challenges.
The management was also engaging the government through the Big Push agenda aimed at addressing critical infrastructural deficits and fostering economic transformation, he added.
With regard to security on campus, Prof. Aheto entreated the students to use only approved routes to and from campus, and walk in pairs to avoid attacks by criminals especially at night.
He noted that a police patrol team had been deployed to ensure safety and security on campus but admonished students to be conscious and take responsibility for their personal safety at all times.
On health, the Acting Vice Chancellor encouraged students to promptly seek medical attention from the school’s medical facilities when it became 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.”
GNA
