Five best places to explore on University of Cape Coast campus

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) is located in the historic town of Cape Coast. It sits quietly overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and is rarely credited with its remarkable tourist attractions.

With two campuses, the Southern Campus (Old Site) and the Northern Campus (New Site) fusing beautifully together, UCC's natural environment, learning and recreational spaces, provide inspiration and reflects well on its mission to offer professional programmes that challenge learners to be creative, innovative and responsible citizens.

The Southern Campus is sited on high ground, above sea level along the “Apewosika” and “Kokoado” communities and the Northern Campus “Science” which is within a kilometre distance from the old site is near Kwaprow and Amamoma communities is clothed in modernity. Both sites are largely well preserved.

The existence of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management and its associated academic programmes add to the manifestation of UCC's current ecosystems as a renowned world class university in sub Saharan Africa.

Visitors to the campus may take the opportunity to see specific places of interest, including University Botanical gardens and Zoo, Halls of residence, Science Quadrangle Lecture theatres/auditorium/labs/libraries ,recreational spaces (Sport Complex, restaurants, green spaces) and of course Heritage UCC (Comprising the history and associated historical buildings, architecture, sculptures, and paintings among others.

Prof Isshaku Adam, Head of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism management, UCC describes the campus "UCC’s environment promotes research and recreation.

These two pillars are integrated into the design of the programmes of study as well as the architecture of the school’s infrastructures.

The campus has a serene environment. Trees line all major roads and several green spaces available for recreational and relaxation purposes.

Visitors to the campus have a plethora of opportunities to enjoy scenic views, explore history, have a taste of the Fante culture and history, have an appreciation for issues pertaining to urban development, all within an environment which fosters knowledge production and consumption."

There's the magnificent Science Ouadrangle, the largest lecture hall complex of the university with its additional aesthetics to the learning environment, an aquarium. Visitors have the opportunity to view the fishes in this open aquarium and feed them.

Science as it is popularly known does not only provide recreational opportunities but also fosters a calming learning experience for scholars. Not to be missed at the centre of the yard is a striking statue.

It depicts a woman with the ability to bend her elbows inward from behind, holding a pot on which carries what appears to be an infant child.

"To improve the aesthetics of the learning environment, an aquarium has been built at the science quadrangle. This space is at the centre of the largest lecture hall complex of the university. Visitors have the chance to see the fishes in this open aquarium and feed them where permitted. This quadrangle does not only provide recreational opportunities but also encourage learning within that environment." Prof Adam states.

A few metres walk from the Quadrangle lies the tranquil Science Botanical Garden with rich species and facilities to carry out studies on horticultural, aquatic plants and landscape. It was created in 1970 to foster research and education as well as offer recreational space for the university community.

It nurtures a wide variety of tropical and exotic plants species, mulberry, teak, ofram, cedrela and many other rare plant collections with medicinal properties, befitting of a living laboratory for the study of botany.

Entry to the garden is accessible to both students and faculty for research and learning. The convenience of its location in close proximity to the lecture halls enable students and faculty the opportunity to spend time in the garden for recreational stimulation.

This offers students and faculty a respite from the rigors of academic work while creating opportunities for them to take inspirations from nature (and the garden environment). The tree canopies provide a perfect shade from the direct rays of the sun. In addition, garden chairs have been placed at vantage locations for persons who may want to sit in that space. Picnic activities are also encouraged in certain portions of the garden.

It is not only flora at UCC but also fauna. Locate the university learning and research zoo close by to the botanical gardens. If you fancy a connection with various animals and gain insights into their habits and tastes, then take a tour of this mini urban jungle. You will feel the effect. Find Yellow billed kite (bird), pigeons, ground standard squirrel, royal python, green mamba, African rock python, black cobra, tortoise, guinea pigs, scorpions, and monkey.

The Sam Jonah Library another place of interest with respect to both rare and current editions of reference books is worth passing through for book lovers. Patrons get to see a collection of books authored by staff and students of UCC. Books can also be borrowed from the library which subscribes to electronic resources externally.

To sample both local and continental cuisine, there are quite a variety of restaurants and eateries that cater to diverse taste buds. Walk into any of the eateries and be met with the aroma of chicken and peanut butter soup and what have you, all mangled together to make you hungry at the slightest whiff.

What's lacking on campus is evening entertainment to round off the day's activities. There is no cinema, theatre, artists hub, club or game centre to wind down to.

There's however, far more to the collegiate university than obviously meets the eye. UCC with existing tourist facilities naturally add itself to Ghana's tourism map, given its unique location and iconic landmarks, Castles, Kakum National Park, the presence of several forts and castles in the Central Region, siting of beautiful oceanfront hospitality facilities, the role of the Central region in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade as well as the Central region being the cradle of education in Ghana all edify UCC as an outstanding location amidst a series of destinations worth spending time and resources for a unique experience.

The head of Department of Hospitality and Tourism management asserts. "Universities have been long noted for their historical and cultural landscapes with its associated memories. These have captivated the interest of visitors.

While the University of Cape Coast offers the public the chance to see places of interest within an academic setting, the University also gets the chance to make economic gains as well as improve its public relations. UCC has on offer several places of interest to visitors. In addition, there are other complementary facilities such as restaurants, guesthouses, banks, hospitality and police station which will help deliver to visitors a memorable experience."

The payoffs from a UCC campus tour are a strong emphasis on the role of culture, nature, science, technology on knowledge production and consumption as well as University life in contemporary times.

Essentially, visiting UCC is not just about seeing the sights, but also learning about and getting a feel of the surrounding communities, traditional and academic culture, engagement between students and nearby communities as well as the heritage of the colonial seaside town.

People with a passion for travel and sight- seeing may well add the historic, contemporary, funky, uber- cool and relaxing UCC to their list when in Cape Coast, Ghana, geographically the closest country to the centre of earth.