By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, Nov 09, GNA – The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has banned unauthorised student procession on campus, warning that perpetrators could be arrested or dismissed.
The school cautioned that such processions posed serious safety risks as some students had sustained varying degrees of injuries, while others died in past incidents.
In that regard, Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, Vice-Chancellor of UCC, said management would not tolerate any form of unauthorised procession, and further stated that students found participating in such activities would face disciplinary sanctions in accordance with the University’s rules and regulations.
The Vice Chancellor issued the warning when he addressed newly admitted students at the university’s 2026 matriculation ceremony held both in- person and online.
“These sanctions may include arrest, suspension, dismissal or in cases of organised groups, the imposition of fines where applicable.
“Furthermore, any damage caused to university property in the course of such activities will be assessed and valued and cost of repairs or replacement will be surcharged to the individuals or groups found responsible,” he stressed.
The university after a highly competitive admission process, admitted 17,807 undergraduate and postgraduate students, comprising 14,935 regular students, the highest in the school’s history, and 2,872 sandwich students.
The numbers excluded the university’s newly inaugurated e-campus where enrolment is underway.
The Vice-Chancellor assured the students that they had made the right decision by choosing UCC, because the university remained committed to academic excellence and had a dedicated faculty focused on preparing them for the future.
He admonished them to familiarise themselves with the rules and regulations of the university and adhere to them to guide their academic journey and personal conduct.
“Freedom goes with responsibilities. You will be called on when something goes wrong and you will be responsible for your action,” he said.
Touching on the university’s age-old challenges with residential accommodation facilities for students on campus, Prof Aheto announced a raft of projects management was undertaking to resolve the situation.
He announced that the university had signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Ghana Sino Property Investment Limited for the construction of a 28,000-bed student accommodation facility estimated at the cost of 500 million dollars, while feasibility and preparatory works with government authorities were underway to start the project in earnest.
He announced that UCC was also concluding a partnership agreement with the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), the 24-hour Economy, Accelerated Export Development Secretariat and other local partners to develop the Oguaa Tech Park.
“This partnership is aimed at constructing an additional 10,000-bed student accommodation on campus at an estimated cost of 76 million dollars.
“Upon completion of these two major projects, UCC will significantly address the university’s pressing accommodation needs whiles providing a wide range of complimentary facilities to enhance life on campus for you,” he said.
“This will include commercial and catering centres, a training academy, auditorium, meeting suites, business incubators, flexible work spaces, entertainment and cinema centre, student activity facilities, parking spaces, and other essential infrastructure,” he added.
The Vice Chancellor urged the students to prioritise their health and wellbeing, entreating them to leverage the school’s robust health system.
He also implored them to take responsibility for their security, urging them to use well-lit and approved route when moving around campus and walk in pairs, particularly at night.
Prof Aheto advised the students, to take their academics seriously, attend lectures regularly, participate actively, complete assignments on time and prepare well for assessments.
“These are the keys to excelling academically and avoiding the pitfalls of examination malpractice. As level 100 students, you are required to pass all your examinations before you can progress to level 200 and subsequently so,” he said,
“Remember that your academic depends largely on your commitment, it depends largely on your discipline, hard work and also integrity,” he stressed.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey /Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Prince Acquah
E-mail: [email protected]