The Premier University once again stood tall with Seven (7) of its faculty, out of the total number of the fifteen (15), recently inducted into the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS). The induction ceremony was held as part of the Academy’s 2022 Founder’s Week celebration.
The inductees from the University of Ghana were Prof. Samuel Agyei-Mensah, Department of Geography and Resource Development, Director, Centre for Teaching and Learning Innovation and former Provost, College of Humanities; Prof. Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, Director, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research; Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Dean, School of Engineering Sciences; Prof. Bruce Banoeng-Yakubo, Department of Earth Science; Prof. Dorcas Osei-Safo, Department of Chemistry and Vice-Dean, School of Graduate Studies; Prof. Amos Kankponang Laar and Prof. Richmond Okai Aryeetey, both of the School of Public Health.
Providing a brief overview of the GAAS Founders Week, Prof. Helen A. Yitah, Honorary Secretary, GAAS, noted that the annual week celebration was the oldest of the Academy’s traditions dating back to November, 1960 and has since been celebrated every November.
The President of the Academy, Emeritus Prof. Samuel Kofi Sefa-Dedeh, in his address congratulated the new fellows and said the 15 new Fellows were being inducted into the Academy, because of the positive contributions they had made in their respective fields and to national development.
“The GAAS is the cradle of multi-disciplinary knowledge. Let the core values of the academy, which are excellence, integrity, relevance and professionalism, be your goalposts as you continue to demonstrate leadership and service in your fields of study and vocation,” he said.
The President stated that apart from promoting the study and dissemination of knowledge in Arts and Sciences, the Academy had also engaged in developmental research activities for the country.
In his delivery, Prof. Sefa-Dedeh noted that GAAS, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and other institutions and hospitals were collaborating on a research project worth GH¢800,000 which centered on the use cocoa as an enhancer in the treatment of infectious and life-threatening diseases such as COVID-19.
He also revealed that the Academy had submitted a proposal to the Inter-academy Partnership (IAP), a global association of academies of arts and sciences, for the establishment of a multi-functional science and technology centre in Ghana to enhance science education at the primary and the secondary school levels.
“At this proposed centre, one is expected to experience science and technology applications through hands-on projects, exhibitions, teaching and learning to promote science literacy, appreciation and applications,” he added.
Emeritus Prof. Sefa-Dedeh concluded his address by appreciating Fellows of the Academy and wished the Academy more growth and increased relevance in future endeavors.
A cross-section of participants at the Induction
The ceremony was chaired by Prof. Justice Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu, immediate past President, GAAS and currently a Supreme Court Judge.
The inductees were also decorated with the Academy’s brooch and presented with certificates of membership after reading the declaration and signing the Register of Fellowship.
The ceremony was graced with the presence of His Excellency, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice-President of Ghana.
