Profs. Eric Yirenkyi Danquah of the University of Ghana and Benjamin Obukowho Emikpe of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have been elected Fellows of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS).

The two distinguished academics are among 70 eminent scholars announced by the Academy during the Science Forum South Africa in Pretoria, as new additions to its Fellowship, joining a legacy of scientific excellence and leadership across the continent.

Prof. Danquah, who is the Founding Director of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana, was elected to the Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences Discipline of the Academy.

Prof. Emikpe, who is Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the KNUST, was elected to the Medical and Health Sciences Discipline.

Prof. Danquah, who is the winner of the 2022 Africa Food Prize, is a Professor of Plant Genetics at the University of Ghana's College of Basic and Applied Sciences.

He established WACCI in 2007, and the Centre has evolved into one of the world’s largest PhD training education programmes.

Since its establishment, WACCI has trained more than 120 PhDs in Plant Breeding and 110 MPhils in Seed Science and Technology from more than 15 African countries.

Collectively, WACCI and its alumni have attracted more than US$100 million in competitive grants, expanding research and innovation capacity across Africa.

Prof. Emikpe is also a Professor of Pathobiology at KNUST. His research explores the diagnosis of endemic, emerging and zoonotic diseases affecting livestock, zoo and threatened wildlife.

He is a former chair of the Department of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

AAS Fellows are recognised for their outstanding contributions to the advancement of science and their role in shaping policies that drive sustainable development across the continent.

“These individuals have been selected through a rigorous, merit-based nomination and peer-review process that recognises outstanding achievement and lasting contributions to science, technology, innovation, and scholarship in Africa and globally,” an announcement from the Academy said.

Their election affirms both their individual contributions and their shared dedication to using science and scholarship to drive progress and improve lives in Africa and beyond, the statement added.

The Academy says it believes this cohort will help elevate Africa’s scientific voice internationally and support the Academy’s ongoing initiatives across research, policy, and partnerships.

The AAS is a non-aligned, non-political, not-for-profit Pan-African organisation, consisting of scientists with a shared vision to transform lives on the African continent through science.

It is the only continental Academy in Africa enjoying the support and recognition of the African Union, as well as several governments and major international partners.

The Fellowship is regarded as one of the highest honours on the continent for scientists who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to research, innovation and leadership.

AAS President, Prof. Lise Korsten, said: “It is a great honour to welcome this new cohort of distinguished scientists and scholars into the AAS Fellowship. Their achievements, dedication, and vision reflect the very best of African excellence.”

“Each Fellow brings unique expertise that will play a critical role in strengthening the continent’s scientific capacity and advancing our shared goals.

"As an Academy, we remain steadfast in our commitment to championing science, technology, and innovation as drivers of sustainable growth and transformative impact across Africa.”