Professor Jonathan Narh Ayertey – University of Environment and Sustainable Development

Professor Jonathan Narh Ayertey is the Chairman of the Governing Council of the newly- built University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in Somanya, Ghana and a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.

He was born on February 9, 1943 at Seseamang, Ghana. He attended the University of Cape Coast, Ghana (1965-1969) and (1971-1972) for his undergraduate studies, and the Imperial College, London (University of London) for a Ph.D. in Applied Entomology, graduating in 1976. From April-June, 1988, he took an International course on Innovative Integrated Pest Management & Extension (IPM&E) at the Centre for International Agricultural Development Cooperation (CINADCO), Israel.

Prof. Ayertey started his teaching career as a Biology Teacher at the Winneba Secondary School, Ghana (1969-1970). He then moved on to become a Demonstrator at the Department of Zoology, University of Cape Coast where he had his second Bachelor’s degree.

Prof. Ayertey travelled to the United Kingdom as a UNESCO Fellow for his Post-Graduate studies (1972 – 1976); during which he carried out his research studies at United Kingdom’s famous Pest Infestation Control Laboratory, Slough (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food). He returned to Ghana after his studies to become Lecturer at the Department of Zoology, University of Cape Coast (1976-1978). From 1978-1981, he was Research Fellow at the Institute of Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, where he was promoted to Senior Research Fellow in June, 1981. For the 1981/1982 academic year, he resumed his lecturing role at the University of Cape Coast. He went back to Nigeria as Senior Lecturer at Bayero University, Kano (1982-1987). He returned to Ghana as Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana from 1987-1988. From 1988 to 1997, he was Associate Professor, and attained full Professorship status in 1997.

Professor Ayertey has served in several administrative capacities in his career. He served as Coordinator for the FAO Post-harvest Food Losses Programme for northern Nigeria (1980-1981). During the period 1991-2005, he served as Foundation Coordinator for the African Regional Post-Graduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS) Sub-regional Centre for West Africa, University of Ghana, during which period he led the training of several Entomologists in West Africa, under the auspices of the Nairobi-based International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE). He was also Vice Dean at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ghana (1990-1994) and also served for three terms as Head of Department of Crop Science (1990-1995;1997-2000). In the years 1993-1999, he also served as Hall Master of Akuafo Hall, University of Ghana. Professor Ayertey became Dean of Graduate Studies, University of Ghana (2000-2003) and later Dean of Academic Affairs at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (2007-2014).

Prof. Ayertey has served as External Examiner at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi; University of Sierra Leone, Freetown; and University for Development Studies, Tamale. He also served as External Moderator for the Nigerian Certificate of Education (NCE- Biology) and Kano School of Technology, Kano, Nigeria. He has since 1990 been serving as External Assessor for Appointments and Promotions to positions in Universities and Research Institutes in and outside Ghana. He is also Editorial Advisor for some reputable journals, including Discovery and Innovation, Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science, Nigerian Journal of Entomology, Samaru Journal of Agricultural Research, and Journal of Insect Science and its Application.

During his career as a University teacher, Professor Ayertey served on some management Boards, including the Council of the University of Ghana, Council of Narh-Bita College and Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG). He has also served on other educational institution boards, such as Manya Krobo Secondary School Board, Presbyterian Boys Secondary School Board, among others.

For many years, Prof. Ayertey has served on the Editorial Committee of the National Council for Tertiary Education. He also served on the National Accreditation Board as well as some other impact- making committees of the Ministry of Education, such as the merger of the National Council for Tertiary Education and the National Accreditation Board, resulting in the establishment of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (G-TEC) and the compilation of the Ghana Tertiary Education Policy Document. The conversion of Ghana’s Colleges of Education into degree awarding training centres was the result of a recommendation from one such committee.

Prof. Ayertey is a member of the Ghana Science Association (GSA) where he once served as the Cape Coast Branch Secretary; the Nigerian Society of Plant Protection (NSPP); the African Association of Insect Scientists (AAIS); Entomological Society of Nigeria (ESN); Agricultural Society of Ghana; Fellow at the Institute of Biology, Ghana; and the New York Academy of Sciences.

Professor J.N. Ayertey is a proud awardee of UNESCO Fellowship, UK (1972-1976); “Best Teacher Award” (Teacher of the year for 1994 at the University of Ghana, Legon); Visiting Scientist/Consultant, Biological Control Centre for Africa, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Cotonou, Benin (February – May, 1995). He has several publications to his credit, as well as many presentations at international meetings and conferences.

Prof. Ayertey is married and has 4 adult children.