Professor of Environmental Microbiology/Environmental Health at the Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology Kwasi Obiri-Danso is a world-renowned scholar. He was the Provost of KNUST’s College of Science before to his appointment as Vice-Chancellor. A distinguished professor with extensive expertise in general education, institutional management, university teaching, research administration, international relations, and outreach service delivery.
Professor Obiri-Danso also has boardroom experience, collaborative research experience, and experience serving on high-profile boards, committees, and teams as a chairperson or member.
He was Chairman of the Kumasi Polytechnic Council, Chairman of the National Nuclear Research Institute, Member of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, and Member of the Implementation Committee for the University of Environment and Sustainable Development when he was appointed to the prestigious position of Vice-Chancellor.
He has served on the Academic Board, the Executive Committee, and the Central Disciplinary Committee at KNUST for many years. In addition, he has served as Chairman of the Committee of Hall Administrators and Hall Master of Independence Hall.
In addition, the Professor has served on or chaired numerous local committees, including Research and Conferences, Planning and Resources, Scholarships, Books and Publications, Residence, Security Management, and many more.
He’s also worked on a number of non-statutory/ad hoc committees dealing with issues such as discipline, affiliations, the creation of new programs, accreditation, fee fixing, and a variety of other topics.
Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso attended St. Anthony Preparatory School in Accra as a child. He attended the Salem School in Aburi for a year before attending Swedru Secondary School to complete his Ordinary and Advanced Level Certificates.
He earned a BSc. in Biological Sciences and an M.Phil. in Food Microbiology at KNUST before continuing on to Lancaster University in the United Kingdom to earn a Certificate in Modeling Duration Data and a PhD. in Environmental Microbiology.
Kwasi Obiri-Danso has worked in academia since 1987, rising through the ranks from Teaching Assistant (1987-1989), Lecturer (1990-2000), Research Assistant at Lancaster University’s Institute of Environmental Sciences (1996-1999), Senior Lecturer (2000-2007), Associate Professor (2007-2014), and Professor in 2014.
Professor Obiri-Danso has served as Head of Department, Dean of Faculty, Dean of the International Programs Office, and Provost during his tenure. His scholarship has been demonstrated not only within KNUST, but also outside of it.
He has worked as an external examiner and assessor for a variety of local and international universities and professional groups.
He’s also served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the University of Science and Technology (JUST) and Associate Editor of the Ghana Science Association’s Journal.
Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso has over a hundred publications and conference papers to his name. His most recent research has focused on the integrity and preservation of mitochondrial DNA in Caenorhabditis elegans through the investigation of the numerous genes involved, particularly potential genes for mitochondrial disorders.
He has also undertaken substantial research on antibiotic drug use, monitoring, and evaluation of resistance in humans, food animals, water, and vegetables, focusing on Campylobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Enterococci bacteria. His extensive investigation on the microbiological quality of bathing waters is related to this.
Professor Obiri-Danso has raised or been a member of teams that have raised important development and research monies from grantors including WHO, DANIDA, MasterCard Foundation of Canada, DRUSSA, WORLD BANK, Urban Food Plus, and ADMER over the last two decades.
Professor Obiri-Danso is married and has a son named William with his wife Lucy.
- Meet the Youngest Ghanaian Student to Attain a Degree From KNUST
- Meet the KNUST Female Engineer who Designed and Built the Gari Processing Machine in Ghana.
- Meet the Oldest Woman to Attain Degree in Knust
- Meet KNUST’s Youngest Full Professor Named As Vice-Dean For School of Graduate Studies
- Dear Students : Visit KNUST Dean of Students’ Office for Following Assistance
