By Prince Acquah
Cape Coast, May 17, GNA – 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.
Prof Aheto takes over from Professor Johnson Nyarko Boampong as the substantive Vice-Chancellor after serving in an acting capacity for several months.
The appointment was made at a special meeting of the Governing Council held on Thursday, May 15, 2026, according to a statement signed by Mr Gideon Enoch Abbeyquaye, Registrar of the University.
Prof Aheto is a Professor of Coastal Ecology and Interdisciplinary Oceans Studies and currently serves as Director of the Centre for Coastal Management – the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR) at UCC.
He is a distinguished scholar with more than 15 years of experience in scientific project management and has represented the University on several donor-funded projects in marine, coastal, and fisheries management. These projects are supported by organisations including the World Bank, African Union, USAID, and DANIDA.
Prof Aheto holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree from the University of Cape Coast. He obtained both his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Sciences and Master of Science (MSc) in Tropical Aquatic Ecology from the University of Bremen, Germany.
He also holds a Master of Science degree in Rural Development from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
He has an extensive publication record in indexed journals, focusing on coastal and marine ecosystem conservation, small-scale fisheries, marine spatial planning, wetlands ecology, and marine conflict issues.
Prof Aheto serves on several national and international boards and is a technical advisor to the West Africa Coastal Areas Management Programme of the World Bank.
In recognition of his contributions to academia and professional practice, he has received several awards.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Prince Acquah
E-mail: [email protected]