Prof. Elvis Asare Bediako

Patron | AASuP

Vice Chancellor  | University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani

Professor Elvis Asare-Bediako is a distinguished academic and Professor of Plant Virology. He currently serves as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani. Prior to this appointment, he held the position of Dean of the School of Agriculture at the University of Cape Coast from 2016 to 2020.

Professor Asare-Bediako’s research expertise lies in virus disease epidemics and the development of integrated crop improvement strategies for key food security crops and vegetables. He has trained numerous undergraduate and postgraduate students in Plant Virology and Plant Protection and has made significant contributions to academia through his authorship and co-authorship of several publications and book chapters in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes.

His contributions to agriculture in Ghana are noteworthy. In 2019, he led a research team to develop five high-yielding cassava varieties that are resistant to cassava mosaic disease and possess high beta-carotene content. He also played a pivotal role in the development of seven cowpea varieties with resistance to striga, viruses, and drought. In 2024, he contributed to the development of four yellow-fleshed cassava varieties with very high beta-carotene content, high dry matter, and resistance to cassava mosaic disease. Currently, Professor Asare-Bediako is engaged in the development of high-yielding maize varieties resistant to maize streak virus through mutation breeding. His work also involves the introgression of rice yellow mottle virus and blast-resistant genes into selected aromatic rice varieties. His training programmes on good agronomic practices have benefitted numerous farmers and farmer-based organisations, leading to enhanced crop production.

Professor Asare-Bediako has served on several national and international committees, demonstrating his leadership and expertise. These include:

  • Advisory Steering Committee Board of the Global Education and Training Centre for Agricultural Modernisation and Food Safety (2022–2027)
  • Governing Board of Evergreen Hive, a non-profit organisation (2024)
  • National Statistics Advisory Committee (2022–2024)
  • Research Committee of the Centre for Plant Medicine Research (2022–2024)
  • Governing Council of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (2020–present)
  • National Implementation Committee of the Science Agenda (2019–present)
  • Steering Committee of the Research Extension Farmer Linkage Committee (RELC), Central Region, Department of Food and Agriculture, Cape Coast (2019–2020)
  • Chairman of the Committee of Principals and Deans from African universities under the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) (2019–2020)
  • Chairman of the eight-member sub-Committee of Principals and Deans of RUFORUM member universities, supporting the Deans and Principals Committee (2019)
  • Local Organising Committee (LOC) member and Chairman of the Accommodation and Transport sub-committee for the 15th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting at the University of Cape Coast (2019)

Professor Asare-Bediako has secured numerous national and international research grants, including funding from:

  • World Vegetable Centre, AVRDC, 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) (2018)
  • MasterCard Foundation / RUFORUM (2018)
  • European Union Horizon 2020 (2021)
  • Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRIC) / African Technology Policy Studies Network (2022)

His exceptional leadership was recognised in 2024 when he was named Ghana’s Most Respected CEO in the category of public universities. In 2023, he was shortlisted for the Best Vice-Chancellor of Ghana (including traditional and technical universities) at the Ghana Industry CEO Awards, organised by The Business Executive. He was also honoured as one of Ghana’s 100 Most Influential People in 2023.

Professor Asare-Bediako has undertaken consultancy work for several prestigious organisations, including:

  • Technical Education Development for Modernised Agriculture (TEDMAG) / University of Saskatchewan, Canada (2018)
  • Ghana Skills Development Fund / CTVET (2018–2020)
  • World Vision Ghana / World Bank (2022)
  • Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) / Dankook International Cooperation on Agriculture (DICA) (2022)

He is an active member of several professional organisations, including:

  • Plant Protectionists Society of Ghana (PPSG)
  • Ghana Science Association (GSA)
  • Ghana Institute of Horticulturists (GhIH)
  • American Phytopathological Society (APS)
  • British Society of Plant Pathologists (BSPP) (2008–2014)
  • Association of Applied Biologists (AAB) (2008–2012)

Professor Asare-Bediako received his Ordinary and Advanced Level Certificates from Bekwai Adventist Senior High School. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and his doctorate from the University of Warwick, UK.

A devout Christian, Professor Asare-Bediako is married to Mrs Edith Asare-Bediako, and they have four children.