# Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences

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.

## History

The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences began its life as the Ghana Academy of Learning, 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.

## 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

* David Kpakpoe Acquaye
* Marian Ewurama Addy
* Francis Allotey
* Daniel Afedzi Akyeampong
* Francis Agbodeka
* Albert George Baidoe Amoah
* Akosua Adomako Ampofo
* Aba Andam
* Kofi Annan
* Fred Kwasi Apaloo
* Emmanuel Quaye Archampong
* Ernest Aryeetey
* J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu
* S. K. B. Asante
* Kwadwo Asenso Okyere
* Edwin Jackson Anafi Asomaning
* Edward S. Ayensu
* Jonathan Narh Ayertey
* E. A. Badoe
* Yaa Ntiamoah Badu
* Christian Gonçalves Kwami Baëta
* Kankam Twum Barima
* George Benneh
* Albert Adu Boahen
* Vincent Cyril Richard Arthur Charles Crabbe
* George C. Clerk
* J. B. Danquah
* Samuel Date-Bah
* Kwesi Dickson
* Silas Dodu
* Charles Odamtten Easmon
* RoseEmma Mamaa Entsua-Mensah
* Emmanuel Evans-Anfom
* Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng
* Robert K. A. Gardiner
* Ablade Glover
* Kwame Gyekye
* John Owen Hunwick
* Kobina Arku Korsah
* Felix Konotey-Ahulu
* Ebenezer Laing
* Ivan Addae Mensah
* Joy Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu
* Joseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia
* Kwame Nkrumah
* Daniel Ahmling Chapman Nyaho
* Letitia Obeng
* George Tawia Odamtten
* David Ofori-Adjei
* Susan Ofori-Atta
* Nii Amaa Ollennu
* Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang
* Isabella Akyinbah Quakyi
* Fred T. Sai
* Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu
* William Bedford Van Lare
* Kwesi Yankah
* Fred Binka