Speaker Profile

Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako is a Professor of Plant Virology. He is currently the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani. Before his appointment as ViceChancellor, he had served as Dean of School of Agriculture (2016-2020), and Liaison Officer for the Students’ Vacation Training Programme, School of Agriculture (2015-2016), at the University of Cape Coast.

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He has researched extensively into virus disease epidemics and the development of integrated crop improvement strategies in key food security crops and vegetables. He has also trained several graduate and undergraduate students in areas of Plant Virology and Plant Protection; authored and co-authored several publications and book chapters covering various aspects of Plant Virology and Plant Protection in peer-reviewed journals and peer-edited books. Prof. Asare-Bediako has directly contributed significantly to the development of agriculture in Ghana. For example, he led a research team to develop five cassava varieties which are high yielding, resistant to cassava mosaic disease and have high beta carotene content. He also played a major role in developing seven cowpea varieties that are striga, virus and drought resistant. Presently, Prof. Asare-Bediako is involved in introgressing rice yellow mottle virus and blast resistant genes into selected aromatic rice varieties as well as streak-resistant high yielding maize varieties in Ghana. Several farmers and farmer-based organisations have benefited from his trainings on gooc agronomic practices, leading to improved crop production.

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He serves in several national and international committees, including the Advisory Steering Committee Board of Global Education and Training Centre for Agricultural Modernisation and Food Safety (2022-2027); National Statistics Advisory Committee (2022); Research Committee of the Centre for Plant Medicine Research (2022) and National Implementation Committee of Science Agenda (2019).

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Prof. Asare-Bediako has also won a number of local and international research grants such as World Vegetable Centre, AVRDC, Shanhua, Taiwan, (2013); CSIR-West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP), (2014); International Treaty of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture-FAO, Rome, Italy, (2016); Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy, University of Cape Coast (2015, 2017, 2018), European Union (LEAP-Agri) grant, (2018); and MasterCard Foundation / Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (2018).

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He is a member of a number of professional organisations, including the Plant Protectionists Society of Ghana (PPSG); Ghana Science Association (GSA); Ghana Institutes of Horticulturists (GhIH) and American Phytopathological Society (APS).

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His background also makes him very passionate about the chemical sciences and STEM education in general. He is an ardent supporter of the establishment of chemistry festivals at the University of Energy and Natural Resources. In 2021, he received an honorary “Chemistry-Ambassador” award from the American Chemical Society (ACS) for his key role and support in hosting the first ACS’ Festival Training Institute (FTI) and Chemistry Festival in Ghana.

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Prof. Asare-Bediako continues to be an advocate for STEM education in Ghana and has visited several High Schools across the country, particularly encouraging the female students to pursue STEM-related programmes at the university.