“Africa cannot be free if we do not adequately replicate in good measure the high level skills and pioneering research required to foster inclusive development on the continent, whilst making a unique, valuable contribution to the global knowledge economy,” comments Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, Secretary-General of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), at the inaugural conference of ARUA, which runs from 3-4 April 2017 at the University of Ghana. View the full conference programme.

Aryeetey adds: “This Alliance aims to facilitate collaboration, knowledge transfer, equipment sharing, the pooling of resources and the development of mutually beneficial partnerships across Africa. Researchers in the developing world should not merely be regarded as data collection hubs, or wellsprings of material waiting to be analysed, or footnotes in north-south collaboration projects. ARUA will strengthen the ability of researchers in Africa to be recognised as world-class generators and producers of new knowledge, capable of successfully accessing and managing resources and relationships in the global knowledge economy off our own bat.”

The Alliance comprises of research intensive universities on the continent that prioritise the development of new knowledge, quality research and high level and scare skills through empowering and mentoring postgraduate and postdoctoral students.

Thirteen key thematic areas for collaboration have been identified, as listed below:

• Climate change
• Food security
• Non-communicable diseases
• Materials development and nanotechnology
• Energy
• Water conservation
• Mobility and migration
• Poverty and inequality
• Unemployment and skills development
• Notions of identity
• Good governance
• Post-conflict societies, and
• Urbanisation and habitable cities.

Professor Adam Habib, a Member of the ARUA Executive Committee and Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Witwatersrand provided an update on two key projects that are underway. “The Migrations and Mobility theme is a great example of a universal issue that requires research at multiple levels, and which is best addressed by cosmopolitan teams within different socio-economic, political and historical contexts. A dynamic research project in this area has already been launched through funding from the Mellon Foundation. The next project is focused on food security, which is another area that directly affects humanity the world over.”

He added: “The essential purpose of this conference is to gather the academics from our respective institutions on the continent to engage each other, in order to facilitate a common African academy and research community.”

The Carnegie Corporation of New York, Kresge, the Mellon Foundation and the South African National Research Foundation are all funding partners. “There are several other donors and funders, but I would like to thank the pioneering funding partners for having the foresight to invest in the intellectual renaissance of the African continent,” added Habib. “Our collective efforts will result in raising the quantity and quality of impactful research on the continent which will ultimately contribute towards inclusive development and the rising of Africa in multiple ways, for the benefit of humanity.”

Conference Programme

Conference Attendees

Prof Ebenezer Oduro Owusu
Vice Chancellor University of Ghana

Prof Francis Dodoo
Pro-Vice Chancellor, Office of Research Innovation and Development (ORID

Prof. Samuel Agyei-Mensah
Provost, College of Humanities

Prof Ama de-Graft Aikins
Director, International Programme

Prof Felix Asante
Director, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER)

Prof George Obeng Adjei
Director of Research Office of Research, Innovation and Development

Prof Peter Quartey
Head, Department of Economics/ISSER

Prof. Gordon Awandare
Director, WACCBIP/ Head, BCMB

Prof. Ransford Gyampo
Department of Political Science

Prof Robert Darko Osei
Vice Dean, Graduate School /ISSER

Mr. Fidelis Anumu
College of Health Sciences

Mrs. Mammie Hutchful Nortey
IAST, CBAS

Prof. Ben Gyan
Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research (NMIMR)

Dr. O. B. O. Damoah
University of Ghana Business School (UGBS)

Dr. David Doodo-Arhin
Senior Lecturer, UGBS

Dr. Sandow Yidana

Mr. Jacob Zuttah
College of Education

Mr. John K, Anoku
ORID

Mrs B. S Biney -Nyamekey
College of Humanities

Mr. Ezekiel Acquah
College of Basic and Applied Science (CBAS)

Prof. Paa Kobina Turkson
Dean School of Veterinary Medicine CBAS

Prof. George Owusu
Head, Department of Geography and Resource Development /Centre for ….Studies

Dr. Monica Lambon Quayefio
Dept. of Economics

Dr. Benjamin Abuaku
NMIMR

Prof. Asiedu-Gyekye
School of Pharmacy

Prof. Chris Gordon
Director Institute of Environmental Sanitation

Dr. Christian Amenuvu
Director University of Ghana Hospital

Dr. Martha Awo
Research Fellow, ISSER

Mr. R. O Boapea
Director, Finance Directorate

Mrs. Stella Amoa
Director, Public Affairs Directorate

Prof. Charity Akotia
Dean, School of Social Sciences

Prof. Kwadwo A. Koram
Director, NMIMR

Prof. Samuel N. A. Codjoe
Director, Regional Institute for Population Studies

Prof, Michael Tagoe
Ag. Provost, College of Education

Dr. Charles Ackah
Head, Social Division, ISSER

Dr. John Effah
UGBS

Dr. Aba Crentsil
Research Fellow, ISSER

Dr. Mavis Dako- Gyeke
Head, Department of Social Work

Dr. Ama Pokua Fenny
Research Fellow, ISSER

Gloria Pokuaa Manu
University of Ghana

Prof. Ernestina Donkor
University of Ghana

Dr. Delali Badasu
Director, Centre for Migration Studies

Prof. C C. Mate-Kole
Director, Centre for Ageing Studies

Prof. Gordon Adka
Director, Language Centre

Dr. Lawrence Boakye
Department of Religions

Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah
College Secretary, College of Education

Prof. Nana Aba Amfo
Dean, School of Languages

Prof. Kofi Agyekum
Ag. Dean School of performing Arts

Prof. Joshua Abor
Dean, University of Ghana Business School

Prof. Ellen Bortei-Doku Aryeetey
Centre for Social Policy Studies

Prof. Isabella Quakyi
School of Public Health, University of Ghana

Prof. Augustin K. Fosu
ISSER

Dr. Clement Adamba
Research Fellow, College of Education

Grace Fleischer
University of Ghana

Moro Gafaru
University of Ghana

Dr. Mary B. Setrana
Centre for Migration Studies

Dr. Kwes Datey-Baah
University of Ghana Business School

Prof. Horace Campbell
Kwame Nkrumah Chair, Institute for African Studies

Matthew Dankwah
IRPO

Dr. Faustina F. Ainguah
RIPS

Dr. Mumuni Abu
RIPS

Dr. Ayaga Bawah
RIPS

Dr. Langbong Bimi
University of Ghana

Prof Fadiel Essop
Stellenbosch University

Professor Gunnar Sigge
Stellenbosch University

Professor Grace Musila
Stellenbosch University

Dr. Eugene Van Rensburg
Stellenbosch University

Professor Sope Williams-Elegbe          
Stellenbosch University

Professor Peter Mallon
Stellenbosch University

Professor Hendrik Bosman
Stellenbosch University

Ms. Corina Du Toit
Stellenbosch University

Mr. Nico Elema
Stellenbosch University

Dr. Harris Andoh
CREST, Stellenbosch University

Prof Obinna Onwujekwe
University of Nigeria

Prof Benjamin Ozumba
University of Nigeria

Dr. C. Ajaero
University of Nigeria

Dr. Bernie Fanaroff
Square Kilometre Array (SKA) – South Africa Project

Dr M Qhobela,
CEO, National Research Foundation

Dr. Meoli Kashokoa
KENET

Prof. Nana Sackey
Finance of EDU

Professor Prem Ramburuth
University of South Wales

Professor Ijeoma F. Uchegbu
University College London

Ms. Clare Burke
University College London

Mr. Joseph Hoffman,
INTERSEV ,USA

Prof. Akintunde Babatunde
University of Leeds

Ms. Joyce Achampong
Pivot Global Education Consulting Group

Roboile Mathohe
IMF

Rebecca Ward
IREX

Rebecca Bell
IREX

Dr. Tom Kariuki
Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa

Dr. John Becker
ACGT, South Africa

Mrs. Margeret Nordstrand
Lund University

Prof. Nagao
UNU

ProF Tom Kvan
University of Melbourne

Berit Stoppa
DAAD

Prof Bruce Hewiston 
University of Cape Town (UCT)

Prof. Tolu Oni
UCT

Dr Kevin Winter
UCT

Prof Harro von Blottnitz 
UCT

Prof Murray Leibbrandt 
UCT

Prof Dee Smythe
UCT

Prof Pierre de Vos 
UCT

Dr Jane Battersby 
UCT

Dr Marilet Sienaert
UCT

Prof Maano Ramutsindela
UCT

Ms. Carol Ojwang 
UCT

Ms. Nicola Latchiah
UCT

Dr. Mwagiru
Coordinator, International Office, UCT

Mr. Ashley Francis
Finance Director, UCT

Ms. Wilna Venter
UCT

Prof Maano Ramutsindela
UCT

Prof. Ingrid Woolard
UCT

Ms.Ntokozo Langwenya
Research Office UCT

Prof. Carolyn (Tally) Palmer
DVC Research, Rhodes University

Prof Tayo Adesina
University of Ibadan

Prof Adebola Ekanola
University of Ibadan

Prof Bayo Okunade
University of Ibadan

Prof Oyeronke A. Odunola
University of Ibadan

Prof. Olanike Adeyemo
DVC (Research Innovation and Strategic Partnerships)

Prof. Victor Okoruwa
University of Ibadan

Prof. S. Adedeji
University of Ibadan

Dr. Mayowa Owolabi
University of Ibadan

Prof Idowo Olayinka
Vice Chancellor

Prof Cuthbert Kimambo
DVC –Research,

Dr. Joel Nobert
Senior Lecturer

Dr. Richard Kimwaga
Senior Lecturer

Dr. Deogratius Mulungu
Senior Lecturer

Dr. Nuru R. Mlyuka
Senior Lecturer

Dr. Lilian D Kaale
Lecturer

Dr. John A. K. Jingu
Lecturer, University of Dar es Salaam

Dr. Elgidus B. Ichumbaki
University of Dar es Salaam

Dr. Joseph H. Kihedu
University of Dar es Salaam

Dr Gladness Salema
University of Dar es Salaam

Prof. Babajide Alo
University of Lagos

Prof. Wellington Oyibo
DVC (A &R) University of Lagos

Prof. O. T. Ogundipe
DVC, University of Lagos

Prof. Samson Adeoshun
University of Lagos

Prof. Mapelola Olusakin
University of Lagos

Prof. Dapo Longe
University of Lagos

Dr. Sunday Adebisi
University of Lagos

Prof. Timothy Nubi
University of Lagos

Prof. Solomon Akinboye
University of Lagos

Prof. Mrs. Ayodele Atsenua
Dean of Law, University of Lagos

Prof Rahamon Bello
VC, University of Lagos

Dr Franca Attoh
University of Lagos

Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo
University of Lagos

Prof. Eshetu Feyissa
Addis Ababa University

Prof. Belay Birhanu
Addis Ababa University

Prof. Tamrat Zeleke
Addis Ababa University

Prof. Zerihun Tesema
Addis Ababa University

Prof. Kassahun Geletu
Addis Ababa University

Prof. Tegegne Belay
Addis Ababa University

Prof. Bekele Jebessa
Addis Ababa University

Prof. Mesfin Woldegebriel
Institute for Peace Security Studies, Addis Ababa University

Prof Shimelis Molla
Addis Ababa University

Prof. Anteneh Shibeshi
Addis Ababa University

Prof Anthoni van Nieukerk
Academic Director, Wits

Prof Barend Erasmus
Director, Global Change, WITS

Prof. Zeblon Vilakazi
DVC, WITS

Prof Femi Otulaja
WITS

Prof Lawrence Hamilton
WITS

Prof Lise Korsten
Co- Director, Food Security –University of Pretoria

Professor Xiaohua Xia
Director, University of Pretoria

Professor Christian de Jager
Dean Health Sciences University of Pretoria

Dr. Chris Nsimbi
Deputy Director, University of Pretoria

Prof Evans Chirwa
Research Chair, Water, University of Pretoria

Prof. Diale
Physics Professor, University of Pretoria

Prof Stephanie Gail Burton
DVC , Research, University of Pretoria

Dr. Getachew
Senior Lecturer, University of Pretoria

Prof Frans Swanepoel
Prof. Future Africa, University of Pretoria

Prof Cheryl De la Rey
Vice Chancellor, University of Pretoria

Prof Lucy Irungu
DVC – University of Nairobi

Prof. Alfred Agwanda
University of Nairobi

Prof. Madara Ogot
Director Research and Extension

Prof. Parama Mafongoya
SARCHI Chair, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal

Dr. Muhammed Ehsanul Hoque
Academic Leader, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal

Prof Bob Urmilla
Dean of Research, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal

Prof Deresh Ramjugemath
DVC, Research, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal

Dr. Albert van Jaorsoeld
Vice Chancellor, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal

Kojo Kisse-Yeboah
Research Development Officer, UGBS and Law School, University of Ghana

Afia Serwaa Attrams
Research Development Officer, School of Social Sciences, University of Ghana

Maxwell Anor Barclays
University of Ghana

Daafour Joseph
University of Ghana

Kambytech Dimdoreh
University of Ghana

Ayisi Emmanuel Nyarko
University of Ghana

Rashida Bassabi
University of Ghana

Judith Ansaa Osae-Larbi
PhD Student, Department of Psychology, University of Ghana

Naki Okletey
National Service Personnel, ISSER

Lucas Yikimpa Chigabatia
Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO)University of Ghana

Ms Lerina Baaba Coker
Teaching Assistant, Department of Social work, University of Ghana

Prof. Kwesi Yankah
Minister of Education- in Charge of Tertiary Education

Dr. Patience Abor,
Senior Lecturer, University of Ghana Business School

Dr. Lydia Aziato
Department of Nursing, University of Ghana

Judith Osae-Larbi
PhD Student, Department of Psychology , University of Ghana

Dr. Cynthia Addoquaye Tagoe
Research Fellow, ISSER

Prof. Wisdom Akpalu
UNU-WIDER

Dr. Moses Osiru
RUFORUM

Prof. Adipala Ekwamu
RUFORUM

Prof. Agnes Budu
University of Ghana, Department of Nutrition and Food Science

Dr. Kwadwo Tutu
Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Ghana

Dela Dovie
Tutor, Department of Sociology, University of Ghana

Mrs. Dorcas Opai-Tetteh
Research Development Officer, ISSER / ARUA Conference Manager

Prof. Ernest Aryeetey
Secretary General -ARUA