UCC Appoints Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto as New Vice-Chancellor

The Governing Council of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has appointed Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto as the new Vice-Chancellor of the university, effective August 1, 2026.

The appointment was confirmed during a Special Meeting of the Governing Council held on Thursday, May 15, 2026, and announced in a statement signed by the Registrar, Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye.

Professor Aheto currently serves as Acting Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, having overseen the administration of the university following the end of the previous Vice-Chancellor’s tenure.

A respected academic and researcher, Professor Aheto is widely recognised for his contributions to coastal ecology, fisheries, and marine resource management. He previously served as Head of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences and played a key role in establishing the university’s Centre for Coastal Management.

Over the years, he has led several international research and development projects supported by organisations including USAID and the Danish Foreign Ministry, attracting more than US$12 million in funding to support research and institutional development.

Professor Aheto has also represented Ghana on several international scientific and policy platforms across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. His academic contributions include more than 25 peer-reviewed publications in internationally recognised journals such as Nature and PLOS ONE.

Beyond research, he has served on various national and international boards and committees, including the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Committee, NABPTEX, and the UN Pool of Experts on the State of the Marine Environment.

His appointment is expected to usher in a new phase of leadership and academic advancement for the University of Cape Coast.