The University of Ghana continues to make significant strides in pursuing its research agenda and has solidified its position as a global leader in academic research, claiming the top position among 67 universities in Ghana and securing the 14th spot out of 1,104 institutions in Africa.
The University also ranked 1006th position worldwide in the 2023 EduRank ratings. EduRank, an independent ranking system, assesses 14,131 universities globally from 183 countries, leveraging a vast scholarly papers database containing 83,166,817 scientific publications and 1,801,313,576 citations across 246 research topics. The rankings also considers non-academic prominence and alumni impact indicators in addition to academic metrics.
This incredible feat is evidence of the University's steady commitment to academic excellence and research prowess.
As the premier educational institution in Ghana, the University of Ghana continues to make significant contributions to the global academic landscape, reinforcing its reputation as a hub of intellectual achievement and innovation.
With a commitment to a robust research agenda, the University has seen a substantial increase in its scholarly contributions over the last five years, as published by EduRank in its latest rankings. Under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo and nine years of continuous implementation of the University’s research-focused strategic plan (UG Strategic Plan 2014 – 2024), researchers from the University have published an outstanding 17,246 scientific papers and received an astounding 217,942 citations, showcasing a dedication to advancing knowledge across various fields.
The research profile of the University spans a diverse range of disciplines, including Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Biology, Medicine, Environmental Science, Sociology, Political Science, Law, Pathology, Chemistry, and Economics. This broad spectrum of research focus has contributed to the University’s remarkable standing in EduRank's assessment.
In terms of subject specifics, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences research, the University emerged first in Ghana and had an impressive 857th position globally with 10,980 publications and 137,736 citations. Output across the next top 10 disciplines indicated high levels of publications. Notably, Biology emerged as a leading field with 10,507 publications and 147,040 citations, followed closely by Medicine with 10,313 publications and 145,552 citations. Environmental Science, Sociology, and Political Science also garnered significant attention, with 8,883, 6,933, and 6,788 publications, respectively.
The University's commitment to legal studies is evident in Law, which secured 6,341 publications and 77,485 citations. Pathology, Chemistry, Economics, and Computer Science further contributed to the University's research portfolio, each recording substantial scholarly output. The interdisciplinary nature of the research landscape is reflected in subjects like Ecology, Geography and Cartography, and Engineering, underscoring the University of Ghana's comprehensive approach to advancing knowledge across various academic domains.
In relation to Economics research, the University claimed the 1st position in Ghana, ranking 432nd globally with 5,362 publications and 75,998 citations. Business research also saw the University leading in Ghana, ranking 739th globally with 4,325 publications and 52,300 citations.
Similarly, in Engineering research, the UG secured the 1st position in Ghana, ranking 1828th globally with 4,921 publications and 58,527 citations. Research areas such as Environmental Science, Medicine, and Biology witnessed the University topping the charts in Ghana and achieving notable global standings. This diverse range of top-tier rankings reflects the University’s excellence and impact across multiple academic fields.
The overall University research output has shown a remarkable upward trajectory, with annual publication figures increasing consistently from 1216 in 2018 to 2087 in 2022. This average of approximately 1,712 publications per year, approximately a 72% increase in research output in the past five years, underscores the University's sustained growth in scholarly contributions.
In addition to its overall ranking, the University of Ghana has secured high positions in specific research topics, such as Veterinary (249th), Healthcare Management (256th), Toxicology (261st), and Alumni Impact (621st).
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Amfo, expressed her satisfaction with the University's achievements, stating, "The University of Ghana has long been committed to nurturing a culture of research and innovation and this is a further acknowledgment of the strides we have made over the past 75 years as a University. Personally, and as Vice-Chancellor, I find great excitement in witnessing that our collective efforts are yielding the desired results on the global stage.
“My gratitude extends to our researchers whose substantial contributions in recent years have played a pivotal role in achieving this milestone. I can only urge us all to continue the hard work and set the stage for the University's continued success in research, and to make more significant contributions to national development," she added.
Pro Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for Research, Innovation and Development, Prof. Felix Ankomah Asante, reacting to the research outputs, said, “At ORID, our focus has consistently been on providing comprehensive support and fostering collaborations for our researchers to undertake impactful studies in line with the Research Policy and Priorities of the University. The recent recognition further underscores the potential we have to make an even greater contribution to global knowledge and to fulfill our mission of supporting both national and global development. This acknowledgment motivates us to continue to strive for excellence and this reinforces our commitment to making a lasting impact on the world through our research endeavours.
The University of Ghana, as it continues to excel in research, remains dedicated to shaping national and global development through the creation and dissemination of knowledge and remains committed to becoming a world-class research-intensive University by creating an enabling environment that enhances the University of Ghana's
relevance to both national and global development. This commitment is realised through the pursuit of cutting-edge research, coupled with a focus on delivering high-quality teaching and learning experiences at the University.
Congratulations to the University’s Office of Research, Innovation and Development, Colleges, Schools, Departments, and researchers whose work and collaborative efforts have ensured the University attained this enviable position.
