Accra: The University of Ghana has promoted Professor Daniel Adu Ankrah of the Department of Agricultural Extension from Associate Professor to full Professor, marking a historic achievement as he becomes the first and youngest Professor in Agricultural Extension since the department's inception in 1976.
According to Ghana Web, Professor Ankrah, who also heads the department, achieved full professorship in just nine years at the age of 45. He joined the university as a lecturer in 2016, making this one of the fastest academic ascensions in the institution's history. This milestone challenges long-standing beliefs that professorial ranks are only reached later in academic careers, particularly within Ghana's public universities.
Professor Ankrah's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Cape Coast in 2004, followed by an MPhil in Agricultural Administration at the University of Ghana in 2008. He later earned a PhD in International Rural Development from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom in 2014. Upon joining the University of Ghana in September 2016, he progressed to Senior Lecturer by 2021 and was appointed Head of Department in 2022. His promotion to Associate Professor came in 2023 before attaining full Professorship in 2025.
The university notes that Professor Ankrah's research contributions include publications in prestigious journals such as Land Use Policy, the Journal of Peasant Studies, and the Journal of International Development. His work has garnered over 1,000 citations, showcasing his impact in the field. He has also engaged in international research collaborations and consultancy projects with global organizations including the World Bank, USAID, the European Union, ECOWAS, AGRA, and Ghana's Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Professor Ankrah is actively involved in several research initiatives, including the Policy Prioritization through Value Chain Analysis (PPVC II) and the EU-funded Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS4FNSSA) project. These projects focus on advancing sustainable agriculture and food systems across Africa.
Beyond his academic and research endeavors, Professor Ankrah participates in church leadership and community service. He is the President of the Men's Ministry at the Good Shepherd Assembly of God Church in Accra and holds various leadership positions within church and alumni associations. He is married and has three children.
His promotion is celebrated as a significant milestone for the University of Ghana's Faculty of Agriculture, underscoring the institution's dedication to academic excellence and research innovation.