UG Soars to New Heights: Ranked 5th in Africa, No. 1 in West Africa

The University of Ghana (UG) has secured the fifth spot in the 2024 Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings, maintaining its position as Ghana’s top university and the leading institution in West Africa.

With an impressive overall score of 74.3, UG demonstrated remarkable achievements in key areas, underscoring its ongoing commitment to excellence in education, research, and societal impact. The rankings assess universities based on five key pillars: resources and finance, access and fairness, student engagement, ethical leadership, and Africa impact.

UG excelled particularly in ethical leadership, earning a stellar score of 79.7, which reflects its dedication to fostering responsible leaders who emphasize integrity and social accountability. The university also garnered a high score of 79.6 for student engagement, indicating its focus on creating an inclusive and dynamic academic environment. Moreover, UG’s Africa impact score of 78.8 highlights its active role in tackling pressing challenges through innovative research and community engagement.

The university’s commitment to equitable education is further demonstrated by a solid score of 75.2 for access and fairness, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed. Despite financial challenges faced by many institutions in the region, UG managed an effective resource allocation, scoring 61.3 in the resources and finance category.

These accomplishments align with UG’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, which focuses on transformative student experiences, impactful research, and sustainable resource management. The university’s emphasis on leadership, ethical values, and Africa-centric research mirrors its vision of achieving a global impact through technology-driven and people-centered initiatives.

This achievement also highlights Ghana’s rising prominence in higher education. With an average score of 57 across 11 ranked institutions, Ghana emerged as the second-best-performing country in the region.

The 2024 rankings introduce a new pillar on ethical leadership, emphasizing the importance of moral leadership and responsible decision-making, which aligns with UG’s strategic objectives.

The Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings advisory board, including renowned figures such as Sylvia Kunkyebe (Mastercard Foundation), Juliet Thondhlana (UNESCO Chair in International Education), and Patrick Awuah (Founder, Ashesi University), ensured the rankings’ methodology was both rigorous and regionally relevant.

This recognition further solidifies the University of Ghana’s role as a leader in higher education, advancing transformative research, promoting ethical leadership, and preparing students to excel in a rapidly changing world.