The American Chemical Society (ACS) officially inaugurated its Ghana International Chemical Sciences Chapter on June 2–3, 2026, at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), marking a significant milestone in the advancement of chemical sciences, research, innovation, and professional development in Ghana.
Held under the theme “Harnessing Chemistry for Industrial Growth and Sustainable Development,” the two-day event brought together scientists, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and students from across the country and beyond to celebrate the establishment of a professional platform dedicated to promoting scientific excellence, collaboration, and sustainable development.
Delivering the welcome address, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Professor Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu, described the inauguration as a historic moment for Ghana’s scientific community. She noted that the Chapter would serve as a platform to strengthen research networks, foster collaboration, promote scientific excellence, and contribute meaningfully to national development through innovation and evidence-based solutions.
Professor Danso-Wiredu underscored the importance of chemistry in addressing contemporary challenges such as environmental sustainability, climate change, food security, public health, industrial growth, and the energy transition. She expressed optimism that the Chapter would nurture young scientists through mentorship and research collaborations while positioning Ghanaian chemistry more prominently on the global scientific stage.
Speaking at the inauguration, Chairman of the ACS International Chemical Sciences Chapter Ghana, Professor James Darkwa, disclosed that the Ghana Chapter is the fourth ACS International Chemical Sciences Chapter in Africa, joining chapters in Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa. He explained that efforts to establish the Chapter began nearly two years ago during an ACS Middle East and Africa Conference in Abu Dhabi and culminated in the granting of an official licence on January 1, 2026.
Professor Darkwa stated that the Chapter seeks to strengthen chemistry education, research, and professional development while complementing the work of existing scientific bodies in Ghana. He emphasised that the Chapter is not intended to replace local professional associations but rather provide an additional platform to promote excellence and innovation in the chemical sciences.
Professor Darkwa particularly credited the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) for its instrumental role in the establishment of the Chapter. He highlighted the University’s leadership in advancing chemistry education and outreach through initiatives such as Ghana’s first Chemistry Festival and other science promotion activities.
Addressing participants as ACS Ghana Ambassador, the Vice-Chancellor of UENR, Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako, described the inauguration as the strengthening of a scientific community committed to research, innovation, and national development. He noted that chemistry remains at the centre of many scientific breakthroughs, including vaccine development, disease control, and emerging technologies.
Professor Asare-Bediako highlighted UENR’s pioneering contributions to the growth of ACS activities in Ghana. He noted that UENR became the first institution in Ghana to receive an ACS International Student Chapter Charter and was also the first institution in Africa to host the ACS Festival Training Institute in 2022. He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to supporting the activities of the Ghana Chapter and advancing international scientific collaboration.
Delivering the keynote address, Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Kentucky, USA, Professor Samuel Awuah, challenged Ghana to move beyond exporting raw gold and instead harness the resource for high-value technologies, medicines, and intellectual property.
Professor Awuah explained that although gold contributes approximately 40% of Ghana’s export earnings, the country derives limited value from the resource due to its continued dependence on extraction and export. He advocated investment in gold-based biotechnology, nanotechnology, diagnostics, biosensors, and medical devices as pathways for economic transformation and sustainable development.
He highlighted ongoing research into gold-based medicines, including the development of Gold-489, a promising compound being prepared for human clinical trials for cancer treatment. He also discussed emerging applications of gold compounds in treating inflammatory bowel disease and the use of gold nanoparticles in targeted drug delivery systems.
Professor Awuah stressed that investment in gold-based innovation would create highly skilled employment opportunities and what he described as “AI-proof jobs” that cannot easily be replaced by artificial intelligence. He urged stakeholders to reimagine Ghana’s position in the global economy by transitioning from a resource-exporting nation to a producer of innovative technologies and scientific solutions.
Representing the American Chemical Society, Professor Michael McGinnis, Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Saint Francis University, USA, and Chair of the ACS International Activities Committee, congratulated Ghana on joining the global ACS family. He encouraged strong collaboration between the ACS Ghana Chapter and the Ghana Chemical Society and urged members to take advantage of the numerous grants, awards, professional development programmes, and international networking opportunities available through ACS.
Also speaking at the event, Treasurer of the ACS Nigeria Chapter, Professor Adelagun Ruth Olubukola, described the inauguration as the beginning of a transformative journey that would strengthen Ghana’s chemical sciences ecosystem and connect local scientists to a global network of innovators. She encouraged students and early-career researchers to ask bold questions, pursue scientific excellence, and build international networks.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of the official ACS Charter Certificate, formally recognising the Ghana Chapter as an international entity of the American Chemical Society.
The newly inaugurated executive officers of the ACS International Chemical Sciences Chapter Ghana are Professor James Darkwa as Chair, Professor Ismaila Emahi as Chair-Elect, Dr. Charity Esenam Annor as Secretary, and Mr. Zakariah Kofi Yankey as Treasurer.
