Accra: 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.
According to Ghana News Agency, during the 2025/2026 matriculation ceremony for undergraduate and postgraduate students, Professor Aheto emphasized that the university would not hesitate to expel students involved in inter-hall fights, citing the financial and security implications of such clashes. He reminded students of the previous year's incidents and the substantial costs incurred to ensure security, stating, "We don't want any form of confrontations between the halls. Last year, what we saw was not good."
The university officially admitted 24,457 students during the ceremony, held both physically and online. This cohort includes 19,473 undergraduates and 4,984 postgraduates. Notably, 10,023 females and 9,450 males were admitted into undergraduate programs, a fact that delighted the Acting Vice Chancellor. For postgraduate studies, 2,766 males and 2,218 females were admitted, and 12,474 students will study on campus, with others using distance learning or satellite campuses.
Professor Aheto congratulated the new students, assuring them that they had chosen the topmost ranked university in Ghana and West Africa. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the university's rules and regulations and encouraged students to uphold UCC's core values, including academic excellence and ethical behavior.
Highlighting the importance of both academic and moral training, Professor Aheto urged students to regularly attend lectures, complete assignments on time, and participate actively in all learning activities. He also acknowledged the ongoing challenges with student accommodation and mentioned management's efforts to address these issues through public-private partnerships and the government's Big Push agenda.
On campus security, Professor Aheto advised students to use approved routes and walk in pairs to avoid potential attacks, especially at night. A police patrol team has been deployed to enhance safety, but he stressed the need for students to take personal responsibility for their security.
Concluding his address, the Acting Vice Chancellor encouraged students to seek medical attention when necessary and remain committed to their academic goals, emphasizing that their future success depends on the decisions they make today.