Ghana is one of the providers of good quality education in Africa. Education is an instrumental tool that facilitates the rapid development of any nation, and this tool is greatly wielded by the Ghanaian government and people. Here is a list of the top ten best universities in Ghana. A list arranged in descending order will be befitting:
10. Christian Service University College(CSUC)
The Christian Service University College, founded in 1974, is located in Kumasi, Ghana. The institution is affiliated with the University of Ghana, Eastern University, U.S., and the University of Cape Coast. Its motto is: “To Know Christ Better And To Make Him Better Known”.
It began when The Worldwide Evangelization for Christ (WEC) acquired some property in Kumasi, which is the largest city in Ghana, part of which, was earmarked to be developed into training colleges, and in October 1974, the first official classes began with four(4) students in attendance. The college became a university in 2020 and began to officially operate as an evangelical Christian university.
The university runs the following programs:
- Undergraduate Degree Programmes:
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
Bachelor of Arts in Theology with Administration
Bachelor of Arts in Planning and Development
Bachelor of Business Administration (Human Resource Management/Marketing/Accounting/Banking and Finance)
Bachelor of Science in Computer science
Bachelor Of Science In Information Technology
Bachelor of Science in Midwifery
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistantship
- Postgraduate (Master’s)Programmes
Master of Arts in Christian Ministry with Management
Master of Science in Accounting and Finance
Master of Science in Corporate Planning and Governance
Master of Science in Monitoring and Evaluation
The institution has become one of the most highly reputable universities in Ghana.
9. Valley View University
Established in 1949, Valley View University is a part of a global 100-membered university system run by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
With its campuses located at Oyibi (Accra), Kumasi, and Techiman (Sunyani), in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Bono East, all of which are regions in Ghana, Valley View University has a high academic standard, and it stands by its motto: “Excellence, Integrity, Service”.
The university gained full accreditation in 1997, by the National Accreditation Board of Ghana, and is, therefore, now can award its degrees. It was the first probate university in Ghana to be given full accreditation.
However, the institution is affiliated with Griggs University, in the US, in distance learning. It is also affiliated with Bauhaus University, Weimar, Germany; University of Applied Sciences, Augsburg, Germany; University of Applied Science, Magdeburg, Germany; University of Hohenheim, Germany and Sahmyook University, South Korea.
The university has carved its name as being one of the best in Ghana, with its continuous improvement in ensuring that it offers quality education in the country.
8. University for Development Studies
Located in Tamale, Northern Region of Ghana, the institution was developed in 1992 by the Ghanaian government to increase the speed with which the then three(3) Northern Regions of Ghana (which are: the Northern, Upper East, and Upper West Regions) were developing. It has, since then, grown to become a popular name amongst top universities in Ghana. It has the following faculties and schools:
- Faculty of Planning and Land Management
- Faculty of Agriculture
- Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment
- School of Allied Health Sciences
- Faculty of Applied Sciences
- Faculty of Mathematical Sciences
- Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Faculty of Integrated Development
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Horticulture(ongoing establishment)
7. Presbyterian University College
The Presbyterian University College was established in 2003 and has campuses in Okwahu (Abetifi), Asante-Akyem (Agogo), Akuapem (Akropong), Tema, and Kumasi, all in Ghana. It has the following objectives:
- “To provide for and promote University education, learning and research,
- To acquire and disseminate knowledge and information,
- To foster relationships with other institutions of higher learning, persons, and bodies.
- To produce disciplined, self-motivated individuals and leaders with moral and intellectual values in the realization of their responsibilities to God, fellow citizens, and the state.”
Its motto is “Discipline in Leadership”. Although the institution has religious affiliations, it however admits and welcomes students from various religions, backgrounds, and ethnicities.
6. Regent University College of Science & Technology
Commonly referred to as “Regent-Ghana”, the institution was established in 2003 and has the motto: “Peace, Justice, and Industry”. In the July 2020 edition of the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, the institution was ranked the best private university in Ghana. It has the following faculties and schools:
- School of Business, Leadership, and Legal Studies
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Allied Sciences (FECAS)
It also offers postgraduate degree programmes, which include:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Divinity
- Master of Science in Statistics
- Master of Theology
- MEng in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
5. Ashesi University
Asheshi university is a private university located in Berekuso, Accra, Ghana. Officially established in 2002, the university is on a mission “to educate ethical, entrepreneurial leaders in Africa; to cultivate within students, the critical thinking skills, the concern for others, and the courage it will take to transform the continent.”
The university was borne out of the need to meet the demand for quality education offered in a private tertiary institution, and also to assist the Ghanaian government with providing top-notch education locally. With a gender ratio of 1:1, an enrollment of 2,864 students, and a global reputation for cultivating leaders with ethical and entrepreneurial qualities, Asheshi university is a one-of-a-kind institution.
Over the years, the university has developed a proven track record of success in achieving its mission, making it a choice institution in Ghana.
The university aso has a foundation, which was established in 1999, that provides support to underprivileged students who wish to gain quality education in the institution.
4. University of Education, Winneba
The University of Education, Winneba was established in 1992 to train and develop resourceful and professional teachers who will be effective in the Ghanaian educational sector. This was done with the intention that the educational sector will be highly instrumental in progressing the Ghanaian economy. The university is located in Winneba, Ghana and its motto are “Education for Service”. It has the following schools/institutes:
- School of Creative Arts
- Institute for Educational Development and Extension
- Institutes for Educational Research and Innovation Studies (IERIS)
3. University of Cape Coast
The University of Cape Coast is a public university founded in 1962 and is currently located in Cape Town. It has two campuses: the Southern Campus (Old Site) and the Northern Campus (New Site). It began as a college and attained full right to operate as an independent university as well as confer degrees, on October 1, 1971. It is one of the most prestigious universities in Ghana. The university has produced thousands of capable alumni, impactful in various fields of endeavor.
The institution, in September 2021, was given various ranks by Times Higher Education 2022 World University Rankings, which include:
- The No. 1 University in Africa for research influence(on a global level).
- No. 1 University in Ghana
- No. 1 University in West Africa
- Ranked amongst the top five(5) universities in Africa.
2. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology
The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology is located in Kumasi, Ghana. It is the largest university in the Kumasi Metropolis and the Ashanti Region. Its motto is: “Ashanti Twi: Nyansapɔ wɔsane no badwenma”, meaning “The knot of wisdom is untied only by the wise”.
It was established in 1952 and currently has a total land area of about 2,512.96 acres. The university has produced notable alumni such as former first lady of Ghana, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Aliu Mahama (Vice-president of Ghana from 2001 to 2008), former CEO of GNPC, Alex Mould, CEO of Ghana Gas Benjamin Asante, former CEO of Tullow Ghana Limited, Charles Darku, actor Chris Attoh, Francis Allotey, Aba Andam, Ablade Glover, Thomas Mensah, Letitia Obeng, etc.
1. The University of Ghana
The University of Ghana is the oldest and largest public university in Ghana. Founded in 1948, it began as an affiliate institution to the University of London and operated as a college. In 1961, it gained full accreditation and was given the right to award degrees and operate as an independent university.
Since its inception, the institution has produced notable alumni in various fields, such as:
- Sophia Ophilia Adjeibea Adinyira – Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana (2006–2019)
- Hutton Ayikwei Addy – Professor of Public Health, and the first Dean of the University for Development Studies Medical School
- Ama Ataa Aidoo – a playwright
- Daniel Afedzi Akyeampong –a mathematician
The above list is not exhaustive.
Conclusion
Ghana has significantly carved a reputation as being one of the best leaders in Africa, in terms of education. Rankings in education consistently place some of the country’s institutions highly and the notable alumni that are produced are proof that the country indeed has a high educational standard.