Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences

Fellows of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences have at the Academy’s 182 General Meeting voted into office Prof. F Akilagpa Sawyerr, Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana as the President of the New Council, to steer the affairs of the Academy for a two-year period running from January 2015 to December 2016. He replaces Prof. Francis K.A. Allotey whose 4-year tenure of office ended in December 2014.   More information available HERE

Historical Background
The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences was founded in 1959 on the initiative of Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Its aim is generally to promote the pursuit, advancement and dissemination of knowledge in all branches of the sciences and the humanities. The Academy began as an Academy of Learning in 1959; two years after Ghana had attained independence from colonial rule. It started with 20 foundation members, including the President himself, who was the Chairman. The foundation members were chosen on the basis of recommendations by a small working party. At the time it was established, the Academy was the first in Black Africa. Presently there are about 103 Fellows overall with about 55 in the Sciences and 48 in the Arts (Humanities). While there are no yearly quotas, the Academy on the average admits between 4 to 8 new Fellows every year.

Objectives
The Academy’s objectives, partly reviewed over the years are: To promote the study, extension, and dissemination of knowledge of the arts and sciences; To establish and maintain proper standards of endeavour in all fields of the arts and sciences; To recognise outstanding contributions to the advancement of the arts and sciences in Ghana; To contribute actively to the development of Ghana and Africa generally by examining and addressing crucial issues of development; and To do such other things as are conducive or incidental to the attainment of all or any of the foregoing objects.

Mission
The mission of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences is to encourage the creation, acquisition, dissemination and utilization of knowledge for national development through the promotion of learning.
The Academy is represented on several national and international bodies including the InterAcademy Panel, the Third World Academy of Sciences and the African Academy of Science. National bodies on which the Academy serves include the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), The National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), the Medical and Dental Council, the Governing Board of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Ghana National Commission on UNESCO, the Architect s Registration Council and the Public Interest and Accountability Committee.

Aspiration
In the years ahead the Academy aspires to broaden the base of its membership; attracting a new breed of active, dynamic and committed Fellows, with the requisite intellectual capacity to advance the objects and goals of the Academy, in particular addressing the development issues facing Ghana and Africa generally; injecting substantial resources to support the work of the Academy, especially research; refurbishing the image of the Academy; building the capacity of its secretariat and strengthening its ties with various institutions of learning in the country.
Construction is ongoing for a Government of Ghana funded US$5.0 million 5-storey Secretariat and a 400-seater Auditorium to rehouse the Academy. This  project was started in September 2012 and scheduled for completion by early 2015. The new facility would have offices, meeting rooms, library, restaurant, guest accommodation etc. and the Academy intends that it would serve as a one-stop centre for local / international conferences, workshops, academic and social events. 

Prof. Akilagpa Sawyerr, President
Prof. Ben K. Ahunu Honorary Secretary