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Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences

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Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences
AbbreviationGAAS
Formation1959; 65 years ago (1959)
TypeLearned society
PurposeAdvancement and dissemination of knowledge in Ghana
Location
  • P.O.Box KD 1178, Kanda - Accra, Ghana
Region served
Ghana
Official language
English
President
Samuel Sefa-Dedeh
Main organ
General Assembly
WebsiteGAAS

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.[1][2]

History

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The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences began its life as the Ghana Academy of Learning,[3] 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.[1][2] 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.[3][2]

Mission

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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.[4]

Presidents

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Building of Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in Accra

The following individuals have served as President of the Academy:[5]

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

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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.[6] 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.[6]

Notable Fellows

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Further information: Category:Fellows of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences" Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine , The National Academies.
  2. ^ a b c "History - Foundation Members". Ghana Academy of Arts and Science. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Detailed information: Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences" Archived 2015-09-22 at the Wayback Machine , International Council for Science.
  4. ^ "About" Archived 2015-05-25 at the Wayback Machine , Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.
  5. ^ "Past Presidents". Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on 3 September 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  6. ^ a b "How to become a Fellow – GAAS". Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 15 March 2023.


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