In a groundbreaking achievement for academic excellence and gender representation, Professor Grace Nkansa Asante has etched her name in Ghanaian history as the country’s first female Professor of Economics. Hailing from the esteemed Department of Economics at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Nkansa Asante’s promotion to the rank of full professor stands as a testament to her outstanding contributions to the field of economics.
The historic announcement came following approval by the University Council, solidifying Professor Nkansa Asante’s status as a trailblazer in academia. With a distinguished career spanning nearly two decades, she has held various esteemed roles within KNUST, including vice dean at the Faculty of Social Sciences and head of the Department of Economics from 2019 to 2022.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Professor Nkansa Asante has made significant strides as a visiting lecturer at the Joint Facility for Electives (JFE) of the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC). Her areas of expertise encompass economic policy analysis, monetary economics, and financial economics, reflecting her dedication to advancing economic discourse and understanding.
A proud alumna of KNUST, Professor Nkansa Asante holds a bachelor’s and PhD in economics from the institution, along with a master’s degree from the University of Ghana Legon. Beyond academia, she brings a wealth of experience from her tenure as a research officer at the African Development Bank in Abidjan and her service as a public administrator at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.
Notably, Professor Nkansa Asante is also recognized for her spiritual leadership as an ordained priest within the Anglican Communion, ministering at the Archbishop Thomas Cranmer Anglican Church located at KNUST. Her multifaceted contributions underscore her commitment to scholarship, service, and the empowerment of women in academia.
As Ghana’s first female Professor of Economics, Professor Grace Nkansa Asante’s historic achievement paves the way for future generations of female economists and serves as an inspiration to aspiring scholars across the nation.