The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) is a learned society for the arts and sciences based in Accra, Ghana. The institution was founded in November 1959 by Kwame Nkrumah with the aim to promote the pursuit, advancement and dissemination of knowledge in all branches of the sciences and the humanities."The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences" , The National Academies.
History The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences began its life as the Ghana Academy of Learning,"Detailed information: Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences" , International Council for Science. and was formally opened on 27 November 1959 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the Great Hall of the University College of Ghana, who became its first president along with Nkrumah. It was incorporated by an Act of Parliament, the first of its kind in post-independent Africa. It was merged with the National Research Council in 1963 to become the Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1968, it was again split into (a) The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, which is a purely learned society, and (b) The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which undertakes research of an applied nature related to national needs.
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."About" , Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Presidents The following individuals have served as President of the Academy: President Tenure of Office Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1959–1961 Kwame Nkrumah 1961–1966 Nii Amaa Ollennu 1969–1972 E. A. Boateng 1973–1976 Charles Odamtten Easmon 1977–1980 F. G. T. Torto 1981–1982 Kwesi Dickson 1983–1986 Emmanuel Evans-Anfom 1987–1990 Christian Baëta 1991–1992 D. A. Bekoe 1993–1996 J. H. Kwabena Nketia 1997–1998 Fred T. Sai 1999–2002 S. K. B. Asante 2003–2006 Letitia Obeng 2007–2008 R. F. Amonoo 2011–2014 Francis Allotey 2011–2014 Akilagpa Sawyerr 2015–2016 Aba Andam 2016–2019 Joy Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu 2019–2022 Samuel Sefa-Dedeh 2022–
Fellows Fellows
The society's members are elected fellows, who are entitled to use FGA as post-nominal letters. A General Assembly of Fellows may elect as a Fellow any Ghanaian national or resident who, in the Council's judgement, has significantly contributed to any field of the arts or sciences. A list of current fellows is maintained online by the GAAS.
Honorary fellow
The Council may elect as an honorary fellow any person of eminence in the arts or sciences who is not a Ghanaian citizen and has made significant contributions to the advancement of the arts or sciences.
Notable Fellows
External links
Official site
References