The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has once again proven its dominance in higher education, maintaining its position as the number one university in Ghana and West Africa in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
The rankings, released on Thursday, October 9, 2025, also placed UCC 11th in Africa, reaffirming the university’s growing reputation as a world-class institution focused on research and academic excellence.
Speaking at a press conference held at the University’s New Academic Board Chamber, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dennis Worlanyo Aheto, expressed immense pride in the achievement, describing it as a testament to UCC’s dedication and strategic vision.
“I have the singular honour and great delight to announce that UCC has consolidated its position as the topmost university both in Ghana and West Africa, and 11th in Africa in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings,” Prof. Aheto said. “Our current performance could be acronymized as 1, 1, 11.”
He added that UCC’s consistent performance over the past five years is proof of the university’s resilience and research-driven approach to education.
“This sterling performance is extraordinary and reflects the commitment of our faculty, staff, and students. We have demonstrated over time that UCC is a research-intensive university of global relevance,” he stated.
Globally, the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings assessed over 2,100 universities from 115 countries, making it one of the most competitive editions since its inception 22 years ago. The ranking evaluates universities based on teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry collaboration.
Highlighting UCC’s research excellence, Prof. Aheto said the university ranked highest in Ghana and West Africa for research quality, underscoring its strong global impact.
“With this streak of excellence spanning half a decade, UCC has positioned itself as a global force in education and research. This success is a reflection of hard work, innovation, and dedication,” he said.
Beyond the global rankings, UCC also performed remarkably in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, emerging as Ghana’s top institution in Quality Education (SDG 4) and placing within the 101–200 global band for that category. The university also stood out as the only Ghanaian institution within the 101–200 band for Life Below Water (SDG 14).
Prof. Aheto credited these achievements to the teamwork across all university departments, particularly the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC), which has played a crucial role in upholding data integrity and driving research output.
“UCC will continue to establish strategic partnerships locally and internationally to strengthen its mission and mandate,” he affirmed. “Sustaining this feat requires diligence and perseverance from all stakeholders to ensure that UCC maintains its vision of being a globally acclaimed university for innovative teaching, research, outreach, and professional development.”
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings remain one of the most credible global assessments, guiding policymakers, institutions, and researchers in evaluating the performance and quality of universities worldwide.
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Source: Eric Sekyi/ATLFMNEWS
