Introduction
The Department of Plant and Environmental Biology is a dynamic academic unit committed to excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement in the fields of plant science and environmental biology. The Department offers a vibrant learning environment that equips students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to address pressing environmental and developmental challenges at local, national, and global levels.
Our academic and research activities span a wide range of topics including plant systematics, biotechnology, and sustainable natural resource management. Establishment of the University of Ghana Botanical Garden is credited to earlier faculty of the Department who requested land for the conservation of indigenous and exotic plant species while providing planting materials for campus beautification. The Department is also home to the Ghana Herbarium – a key national resource which supports both academic inquiry and biodiversity conservation.
Brief History
Established in 1948, the Department – originally known as the Department of Botany – was one of the four founding departments of the erstwhile Faculty of Science at the University of Ghana. From its inception, it has played a central role in botanical education and research in Ghana, contributing significantly to national development through training, research, and community engagement.
Over the years, the Department has trained numerous graduates who have gone on to serve in leadership and technical roles in academia, government agencies, NGOs, and research institutions such as the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), Centre for Research into Plant Medicine (CRPM), and multiple CSIR institutes including the Crops Research Institute (CRI), Soil Research Institute (SRI), Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG), Water Research Institute (WRI), and the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI).
Leadership of the Department has evolved from its first Head, the late Professor G. W. Lawson, a British botanist, to several distinguished Ghanaian alumni who have made lasting contributions to the plant sciences. Notable among them are the late Emeritus Professors Ebenezer Laing and George Calvin Clerk, both of whom were respected scholars and mentors.
In 2015, reflecting a broader academic scope and emerging global trends, the Department underwent a strategic transformation. The name was officially changed to the Department of Plant and Environmental Biology, accompanied by a comprehensive review of its academic programmes to make its graduates more competitive and responsive to global scientific and environmental demands.
Vision
To be a leading department in plant and environmental biology, recognized for advancing scientific knowledge and cutting-edge research that addresses pertinent development issues and enhances human well-being.
Mission
To educate and inspire the next generation of plant biologists, conservationists and environmental consultants through innovative teaching and research.
Administrative Leadership
See AllProf. Eureka E. A. Adomako
Head of the Department
Prof. Eureka E. A. Adomako commenced her tenure as Head of Department on 1st August 2024 and will serve in this role until 31st July 2027.
Dr. Mona Sunish
Examination Officer, School of Biological Sciences
Dr. Mona Sunish currently serves as the Examination Officer for the School of Biological Sciences, having been appointed to the role on 1st August 2023.
Dr. Vincent Von Vordzogbe
Examination Officer, Department of Plant and Environmental Biology
Dr. Vincent Von Vordzogbe is currently the Departmental Examination Officer. He was appointed to this position in 2021-2022 academic year.
