Prof. Firibu Kwesi Saalia has been officially outdoored as occupant the O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chair for Food Science and Technology Project at the University of Ghana, following his appointment in 2020.
Prof. Saalia’s academic life and activities span two Departments - Department of Food Process Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences and the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, School of Biological Sciences.
A cross-section of guests at the ceremony
The overall goal of the project is to train graduate students in innovations in the post-harvest handling of food commodities, particularly African traditional food delivery systems.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (RID), Prof. Felix A. Asante who represented the Vice-Chancellor , in launching the project noted that the Research Chair position affords the University a platform to focus and establish a Centre of Excellence in a particular discipline.
He expressed the Vice-Chancellor's pride and honor as the University becomes one of the pioneer host institutions for the prestigious O.R. Tambo Africa Research Chair. He highlighted that Research Chairs are granted to universities in recognition of their commitment to supporting high-quality research.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (RID), Prof. Felix A. Asante
Prof. Asante praised the efforts of the Research Chair team, consisting of members from the Department of Food Process Engineering, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, and other departments within the College of Basic and Applied Sciences. He also expressed the Vice-Chancellor’s confidence in the team's capability to deliver on their mandate, as the University of Ghana has already provided essential resources, including a Secretariat, to support the successful implementation of the Research Chair.
Stressing the importance of the Chair's research focus, he remarked that food quality and safety were crucial issues affecting Ghana and the sub-region's socio-economic development and was hopeful that the innovations from the research will provide some solutions.
Furthermore, he reiterated the opportunities for collaboration with industry and the community to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals and fulfill the aspirations of the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation. Prof. Asante noted the assurance of the Vice-Chancellor to provide the necessary assistance for the successful execution of the research goals.
Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, Provost, College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) on his part assured the project Chair of the College's support of its activities. He further stated that the opportunity presented gives the College the ability to showcase to the world the capabilities of Researchers in the College.
Prof. Boateng Onwona-Agyeman, Provost, College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS)
In a presentation, Prof. Firibu Kwesi Saalia, stated that the research will be interdisciplinary in three distinct areas namely Food Processing, Food Safety, and Food packaging, and also mentioned that the project is also aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Prof. Firibu Kwesi Saalia
He emphasised that to achieve the vision of the research project , which is to establish a prominent training centre that will produce a skilled cadre of Food Scientists and Food Process Engineers, research activities will modernise traditional food processing techniques, promote entrepreneurship, and overall enhance food and nutrition security.
It will also involve training graduate students (MPhil and Ph.D.) to acquire technical competencies and research skills for transformations in traditional food delivery systems.
A cross-section of guests at the ceremony
The Research team and their areas of focus are as follows; Prof. Matilda Steiner-Asiedu, Nutritional Assessments and Interventions; Dr. Nicole Sharon Affrifah, Innovations for Value Addition, Quality Assessment, Food Quality Management Systems, industry liaison; Dr. Angela Parry-Hanson Konadu, Quality Management, Microbial Food Safety, and Risk Assessment; Dr. Emmanuel Essien; Modelling and Design of Agro-processing Operations and Engineering Systems and Dr. Freda Asem, Agricultural Economics.
A group photo of the research team
The collaborators for the research are the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Ghana; CSIR-Food Research Institute, Accra; IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria; McHammah Engineering Services, Accra; Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Accra; University of Durham, South Africa; and University of Minnesota, USA.
A group photo of guests after the ceremony
In order for the Chair to achieve his mandate, a technical committee has been created to provide technical guidance for the project activities. The committee includes, Prof. Matilda Steiner-Asiedu, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana; Prof. Firibu K. Saalia, ORTARChI Chair, University of Ghana; Mr. Cephas Adjei-Mensah, Representative from MESTI; Prof Charles Tortoe, Director, Food Research Institute (FRI); The Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Food and Drugs Authority (Food Division), Rodrick Daddey-Agyei; Ms. Paulina Addy, Director, Women in Agriculture and Development (WIAD); Prof. Kwadwo Ofori, WACCI, University of Ghana, Legon; Dr. Alex Anderson, University of Georgia, Athens, GA; Dr. Nicole Sharon Affrifah, Department of Food Process Engineering, University of Ghana; Dr. Angela Parry-Hanson Konadu, Department of Nutrition & Food Science, University of Ghana; and Dr. Emmanuel Essien, Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Ghana.
There were solidarity messages from key stakeholders including the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), National Research Fund (South Africa), and Business Development Services.
The ceremony was spiced with drumming and dancing by the Abibigroma Dance Group.
A cultural performance to entertain dignitaries at the ceremony
Also present were Faculty, Staff, and Students of the University.
