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Prof. (Mrs.) Sarah  Darkwa
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Prof. (Mrs.) Sarah Darkwa

Professor - ( Senior Member ) Department of Vocational and Technical Education

Dean

School of Graduate Studies
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Field(s) of Specialization
Food Science and Environmental Risk Assessment and Management
Field(s) of Academic Interest
Education Management
Environmental / Food Systems and Risk Management
Food Product Development
Food Science
Nutrition – Determination of the Glycaemic Indices of Common Ghanaian Foods
About

Prof. Sarah Darkwa is a Professor of Food Science at the University of Cape Coast where she has taught courses in Food Science, Nutrition and Environmental Science (Waste Management) since 2000. She has been a professional teacher for the past 24 years. She taught Biology and Agricultural Science full time at her Alma mater, Wesley Girls High School, after completing her first degree at the University of Cape Coast. She later read Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Ghana, Legon and subsequently worked as a Food Microbiologist at Fruits and Flavour Company – Asebu (an affiliate company of Schweppes International and D & C Company limited). She has taught and successfully supervised several undergraduate projects and graduate theses. Her research interest is in Food Science, Nutrition and Health, and Environmental Systems and Risk Management. She has authored a number of publications in local, national and international journals based on her arears of interest and specialization. She has been a Chief Examiner for Food and Nutrition in the Colleges of Education since 2010 and an External Examiner at the University of Education, Winneba from 2010 to 2012.

Prof. Sarah Darkwa (Nee Opai – Tetteh) is currently the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, University of Cape Coast. Prior to this position, she served concurrently as the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Education (FSTE) and the Head of Department, Vocational and Technical Education (2019 – 2020). In March 2018, she was appointed as the Chairperson for the three-member Interim Management Committee, that led and managed the administrative activities of the Cape Coast Technical University. She was the Vice Dean of the FSTE (2015 – 2017) and the Head, Department of VOTEC (2010 – 2013).

She has served and continue to serve on a number of University – wide Committees and Boards in and outside the University of Cape Coast. A few to mention are the University of Cape Coast Institutional Review Board (2020 – date; International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) Steering Committee, UCC, (2018 – date); College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (2017 – date), the University of Cape Coast Medical School Board (2010 – 2013), Academic Board (2010 – 2013; 2017 – date), Academic Planning and Management Board (2015 -2017; 2019 -2020), School of Graduate Studies Board (2015 – 2017; 2019 – date) OAK City International College Board (2018 – 2019, Chairperson, Centre for Teacher Professional Development Practice Committee (2017 -2019) and the University Estate Committee (2017 – date). 

Prof. Sarah Darkwa, (Nee Opai – Tetteh) was Australian Leadership Award Fellow to the University of Sydney, Australia in 2012. She was a Junior Fulbright Scholar to the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) – Syracuse, New York, USA; a Delta Kappa Gamma World Fellow (Women Educators) (2004 – 2006); SUNNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Alumni Scholar of Honourable Mention ,( 2007); SUNNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Award of Excellence, (2009); SUNNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Green Ink Award, (2007 – 2008). Prof. Sarah Darkwa has enjoyed grants from Great Lakes Research Consortium, (2006 – 2007); MELDI – Michigan, (2007); Ghana Environmental Protection Agency, (2008) and DANIDA grants for research in African fermented foods, (19997 – 1999) for various research projects.

She has travelled wide and attended several local, national and international conferences where she had the opportunity to present papers on her research in Food Science, Nutrition and Environmental Science. She is a member of the Ghana Science Association, (2009 – date); National Scholars Honours Society of America, (2006 – date); Society for Conservation Biology, (2007 – 2014) and the American Chemical Society, (2005 – 2010).

Her desire to grow food, process and manage very well the waste led her to read Environmental Science for her PhD. She obtained her PhD degree in Environmental Systems and Risk Management in 2009 from the State University of New York – College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA. She holds a Master of Philosophy degree in Food Science from the Nutrition and Food Science Department, University of Ghana, Legon, 1999. She obtained her Bachelor of Science (Hons) Agricultural Science degree and Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana in 1993.  

Degrees
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science (Food Systems)

    State University of New York 2009
  • Master of Philosophy in Food Science

    University of Ghana 1999
  • in Education

    University of Cape Coast 1993
  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

    University of Cape Coast 1993
  • Participant - Chair of Interim Management Committee- Cape Coast Technical University

    November, 2018

    A British Council UK Study Tour and Workshop on Centralized Admissions for Universities. of Ghana, The Association of Commonwealth Universities Office, London.

  • Lead Paper Presenter

    October, 2018

    The Nigerian Academy of Education West Africa Education Conference, 2018: Education for Global Relevance, Regional Integration and Competitiveness at the ECOWAS Secretariat ECOWAS Secretariat, Abuja, Nigeria.

  • Co-Presenter

    July, 2017

    The Ghana Home Economics Association (GHEA) 2017 International Biennial Conference, 2017: “Home Economics for Sustainable Job Creation and Healthy Lifestyle in Ghana/Africa". University of Ghana ISSER (Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research) Conference Centre, Legon-Accra, Ghana.

  • Presenter

    July, 2016

    XXIII International Federation for Home Economics (IFHE) World Congress 2016; Hope and Happiness: The role of home economics in the pursuit of hope and happiness for individuals and communities now and in the future. Daejeon Convention Center, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

  • Participant

    October, 2015

    Researchers International Network International Conference Sasakawa Centre, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

  • Presenter

    June, 2013

    AESS2013 Annual Meeting: Linking Rural & Urban Societies & Ecologies Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

  • Presenter

    June, 2012

    AESS 2012 Annual Meeting: "Preparing for our Environmental Future" Santa Clara University, California, U.S.A..

  • Presented paper on sustainability cultural indicators.

    June, 2012

    AESS2012 Annual Meeting: "Preparing for our Environmental Future" Santa Clara University, California, U.S.A. .

  • Presenter

    January, 2012

    International Research in Early Childhood Education Conference: Childhood, Sustainability, Education and Global Conference-(IRECE) University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

  • Presented a paper on dealing with complexity: formulating, adapting, and evaluating peace education concepts and practices in the context of natural resources in Ghana.

    June, 2011

    . Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences 2011 Conference “Confronting Complexity” At the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont. USA .

  • Participant.

    February, 2011

    FAO-GTI-UCC in collaboration with SAIDE workshop organized to develop E-learning material for a course in Food Safety and Food Standards and Quality for U.C.C. students The Sasakawa Centre, School of Agriculture, U.C.C..

  • Participant.

    February, 2011

    The 3rd Biennial International Conference of the Home Economics Research Association of Ghana : Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindset through Education. University of Education, Winneba.

  • Participant.

    February, 2011

    Workshop organized by the Directorate of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance to interact with academic staff of the Faculty of Education. The Institute of Education Conference Room. .

  • Participant.

    February, 2011

    FAO-GTI-UCC in collaboration with SAIDE workshop organized to develop E-learning material for a course in Food Safety and Food Standards and Quality for U.C.C. students . At the Sasakawa Centre, School of Agriculture, U.C.C..

  • Participant.

    February, 2011

    The 3rd Biennial International Conference of the Home Economics Research Association of Ghana: Fostering Entrepreneurial Mindset through Education. At University of Education, Winneba .

  • Participant.

    February, 2011

    Workshop organized by the Directorate of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance to interact with academic staff of the Faculty of Education, At the Institute of Education Conference Room. .

  • Participant.

    October, 2010

    Challenging stigma, HIV & AIDS STIGMA REDUCTION Conference 2010 organized by University of Cape Coast, University of Ghana, Legon; University of Education, Winneba and Simon Frazer University, Canada,. The Centre for Continuing Education Conference Centre, U.C.C. Cape Coast, Ghana. .

  • Participant.

    September, 2010

    International Conference to disseminate Research findings between RECOUP, EDQUAL and CREATE. Redirecting Policy for achieving Education for all in Africa. The Context of access, quality and outcome. At the Medical School Auditorium, U.C.C. .

  • Presented a paper on assessment of the prevalence of Diabetes mellitus and resources available for its Management in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana.

    August, 2010

    Rural Sociological Society 73 rd Annual Meeting. Theme: How Flat is Rural? Diversity in the Age of Globalization. at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia, .

  • Participant.

    August, 2010

    Ghana Science Association 12th Biennial Workshop. Theme: Minimizing Post Harvest Losses as an Effective Poverty Reduction Strategy: The Role of Science and Technology. At the University for Development Studies International Conference Centre, Tamale..

  • Presented a paper on Taro, Colocasia esculenta: It’s utilization in food products.

    June, 2010

    The 16th International Symposium on Society & Resource Management, Theme: Tyrany of “or”: Conservation or Development? Preservation or Utilization? Corpus Christi, Texas USA,.

  • Participant.

    May, 2010

    1st Annual International Symposium on Managing Large Classes organized by the University of Georgia, USA and The University of Cape Coast, Ghana At the School of Medical Sciences Auditorium, UCC, .

  • Presented a paper on the influence of social norms and risk perception on risk related behavior of fishermen: examples from the United States and Ghana.

    July, 2009

    The 15th International Symposium on Society and Resource Management (ISSRM 2009): Meet Old and New Worlds in Research, Planning and Management, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria..

  • Participant.

    April, 2009

    The 6th Annual Preparing for the Professoriate Conference- Alliance for Graduate Education and Professoriate, sponsored by The National Science Foundation & AGEP. Theme: Preparing a diverse Professoriate in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). University at Albany, SUNY, New York,.

  • Participant.

    April, 2009

    The 17th Annual State-wide Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) Student Conference-Journeys beyond Excellence, The Sagamore, Bolton Landing, New York, University at Albany, SUNY, New York,.

  • Presented a paper on evaluating local knowledge and management systems of fishermen in Fosu lagoon, Ghana. Also available at www.conbio.org/activities/meetings/2008/.../TUESDAY_15_July.pdf and http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p243936_index.html

    July, 2008

    The 22nd Annual meeting of the International Congress for Conservation Biology, Convention Center, Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.

  • Presented a paper on community perceptions of fishing, pollution and environmental risk: case study of Fosu lagoon, Ghana. Also available at http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p246250_index.html

    July, 2008

    The 71st Annual meeting of the Rural Sociological Society-Rural Sociology as Public Sociology: Past, Present, Future, Radisson Hotel-Manchester, Manchester, New Hampshire, USA.

  • Presented a paper on ecosystem restoration-a case study of Fosu lagoon, Ghana

    June, 2008

    The 14th International Symposium on Society and Resource Management (ISSRM 2008) - People and Place: Linking Culture and Nature, University of Vermont, Burlington, USA.

  • Participant.

    April, 2008

    The 16th Annual State-wide Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) Student Conference-Journeys beyond Excellence, The Sagamore, Bolton Landing, New York.

  • Presented a paper on risk perception, communication and management: a case study of Fosu lagoon, Ghana ceprm.grm.cuhk.edu.hk/LULU/Conference/Conference_Program.html - 29k –

    December, 2007

    International Conference on Siting of Locally Unwanted Facilities: Challenges and Issues, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong,.

  • Presented a paper on risk perception, communication and management: a case study of Fosu lagoon, Ghana ceprm.grm.cuhk.edu.hk/LULU/Conference/Conference_Program.html - 29k –

    December, 2007

    International Conference on Siting of Locally Unwanted Facilities: Challenges and Issues, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong,.

  • Presented a paper on environmental justice in the Great Lakes: influence of fish advisories on risk perception, knowledge and behavior of anglers. Also available at www.umich.edu/~meldi/PDF/Summary_FacDiversity%20EJ%20Rsrch%20Cnfr.pdf

    June, 2007

    Faculty Diversity and Environmental Justice Research Symposium. University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment, Ann ArborUniversity of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment, Ann Arbor.

  • Presented a paper on human perception of the risk of botulism in the Great Lakes.

    March, 2007

    Great Lakes Research Consortium Student Faculty Conference, SUNY. College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York.

  • Participant.

    November, 2006

    SOLEC 2006- State of the Great Lakes Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

  • Participant.

    September, 2006

    2006 National Extension Tourism Conference- NET working in Tourism: People, Places and Partnerships, Burlington, Vermont,.

  • Participant.

    March, 2006

    Great Lakes Research Consortium Student Faculty Conference, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York.

  • Participant.

    February, 2006

    Committee on Teaching about the United Nations (CTAUN) Conference on the “Global Challenge of Water”, United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA,.

  • Participant.

    February, 2005

    2005 Fulbright Enrichment Seminar: Managing and Protecting Natural Resources, Participant. Tempe – Arizona, USA, sponsored by the United States Department of State and Administered by the Institute of International Education..

  • Facilitator

    September, 2024

    Contemporary Issues in Fisheries Management. Fisheries Leadership Short course for Practitioners funded by USAID/Fisheries Recovery Activity Ghana.

  • Presenter

    October, 2024

    International and Regional Fisheries Institutional Frameworks and Bodies. Workshop on Destabilising Impacts of Distant Water Fishing Vessels (DWFV) in the Gulf of Guinea Yaounde, Cameroon.

  • Guest Speaker

    October, 2024

    “Promoting Research Excellence for Impact on Marine Conservation in Africa”, Institute for Oceans and Fisheries Online Seminar Series University of British Columbia, Canada.

  • Co-Facilitator

    October, 2021

    “Grants Proposal Writing Workshop” University for Development Studies.

  • Presenter

    November, 2024

    “Performance of the Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience”, Country Round Table Workshop Association of African Universities (AAU), Online.

  • Facilitator

    November, 2024

    “Regional Political Parties Dialogue on Fisheries: Protecting Our Fish, Securing Our Future, Live Engagement on JoyNews TV Centre for National Culture, Cape Coast.

  • Presenter

    November, 2023

    Professorial Inaugural Lecture on the topic “Our Oceans: Securing Our Common Future through Transformative Research” Medical School Auditorium, University of Cape Coast.

  • Presenter

    March, 2024

    Africa’s Plastic Revolution: Advancing Global Solutions for Healthy Oceans, T.D. Walter Bean Professorship Public Lecture University of Waterloo, Canada.

  • Presenter

    June, 2024

    Expanding the Impact of Research on Africa’s Blue Economy. National Consultative Workshop for the Formulation of a National Blue Economy Strategy for Angola Luanda, Angola.

  • Panelist

    June, 2024

    Regional Steering Committee Workshop for the World Bank West African Coastal Resilience Investment Projects (WACA ReSiP and ReiP2) Banjul, Gambia.

  • Facilitator

    July-August, 2012

    Coastal Adaptation to Climate Change. Short-term Training Course funded by USAID Ghana.

  • Co-Discussant

    July, 2023

    “Expanding the Impact of Blue Economy in Africa” (with Professor Rashid Sumaila) World Bank Headquarters, Washington.

  • Facilitator

    February, 2022

    Workshop on “Winning Research and Development Grants in a Competitive World” Bolgatanga Technical University, Ghana.

  • Facilitator

    February, 2019

    Workshop on “Proposal and Grants writing” University of Ghana, Ghana.

  • Speaker

    August, 2024

    Study Tour on Sustainable Fisheries Management & Leadership University of Rhode Island, United States.

  • Presenter

    August, 2023

    Vulnerability to Viability (V2V) Ghana Case Study. Bootcamp on moving fisheries from Vulnerability to Viability Puri, Delhi, India.

  • Guest Speaker

    April, 2024

    Workshop Presentation on “Expanding the Impact of Research on Africa’s Blue Economy in Africa Hohai University, China.

  • Participant

    2021

    6th ACE Impact Regional Workshop of the World Bank and the Association of African Universities Accra (Online).

  • Panelist

    2014

    Seaweed (Sargassum) Invasion on the Ghanaian Coasts, Implications for the National Economy and Management Live TV Broadcast, GTV.

  • Guest Speaker

    2010

    “West African Fisheries”, Workshop by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) University of Makerere, Kampala, Uganda.

  • Food Science: A Sweet Killer of Nutritional Well Being.

    University of Cape Coast- Medical School Auditorium.

    1. 2009

      Award of Excellence, 2009.

      State University of New York - Syracuse, New York, USA

    2. 2008

      Great Lakes Research Consortium Small Travel Grant for International Conference, Rural, Sociological Society

      State University of New York - Syracuse, New York, USA

    3. 2008

      SUNY-ESF Graduate School Small Grant for International Conference, Society for Conservation Biology

      State University of New York - Syracuse, New York, USA

    4. 2008

      Green Ink Award for outstanding contributions to The Writing Resource Centre 2007-2008.

      State University of New York - Syracuse, New York, USA

    1. 2024-2025

      Team member, Contract for services to deliver a short course on Marine Litter under the OCPP

      Cefas/UKAID

    2. 2024

      Panel Chair, Reviewed Environmental Impact Statement of PECAN Energies for Offshore Exploration of Oil & Gas

      Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana, Secondi/Takoradi

    3. 2023-2024

      Team member, Contract for development of a short course on Marine Litter for the West Africa Region

      Ocean Country Partnership Program (OCPP) funded by Cefas/UKAID

    4. 2023-2024

      Team member, Contract services to conduct data collection surveys on abandoned lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in Ghana

      Ocean Country Partnership Program (OCPP) funded by Cefas/UKAID

    5. 2023

      Lead Consultant, Contract for the Development of Fishery Courses Syllabi for Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (DoFAS), University of Liberia

      IDA-V3100

    6. 2023

      Panel Chair, Evaluation of Applications for recruitment of Environmental, Social Safeguards Officers for Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI)

      World Bank funded West Africa Coastal Areas Management Programme

    7. 2022-2023

      Lead Consultant, Consultancy to review and align national fisheries and aquaculture polices and laws with the PFRS, regional instruments and global best practices for 15 AU Member States

      African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)

    8. 2022-2023

      Lead Consultant, Mechanisms to Facilitate the Domestication of Global Instruments and Initiatives (2022)

      African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)

    9. 2022-2023

      Lead Consultant, Identification of Issues for SIDS, Development of Draft Strategic Positions for SIDS

      African Union – InterAfrican Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)

    10. 2022

      Team member, Environmental Systems Analysis of the Avu Lagoon Protected area

      Calgary Zoo Foundation

    11. 2021

      Trainer, Conduct Marine Spatial Planning Workshop in Ghana

      University of Liverpool

    12. 2021

      Team member, Pre-feasibility study for nature-based intervention for Anlo Beach community in Ghana

      Valued at US$32,365.00

    13. 2021

      Team member, Marine Plastic Pollution Study in Liberia

      Conservation International

    14. 2021

      Team member, Vulnerability, Adaptation and Resilience in a Changing Climate - WACA -VAR Workshop

      World Bank

    15. 2020-2021

      Consultant, Support Development of Multi-sector Resilience Investment Programme for the West Africa Coastal Area Management Program

      World Bank

    16. 2020-2021

      Consultant, Issues and Opportunities in the Ghanaian Fishery Sector: Addressing the context, prospects and challenges

      Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), United Kingdom

    17. 2020

      Consultant, Estimations on renewable energy investments in Ghana

      Highland Star Group (HSG) of Companies, Geneva, Switzerland

    18. 2019-2020

      Team Member, Regional Mapping of Experts and Institutions in Coastal management

      World Bank

    19. 2017

      Lead Consultant, Review of the Fisheries Act 2002 (act 625) and the Development of Draft Regulations for the conduct of Fisheries Impact Assessments

      Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA) and GOGIG funded by DFID/UK

    20. 2013

      Team member, Environmental baseline survey of water bodies in the Great Consolidated Diamond Ghana Limited (GCDGL) mining concession

      AERC Ltd.

    21. 2012

      Team member, Scoping Study on the Dredging of the Whin Estuary in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis

      UCC Consultancy Unit/Consolidated Energy Ltd.

    22. 2011

      Team member, Social Ecology of Anlo Beach Wetland of Ghana

      Friends of the Nation/IUCN/French Global Environment Facility (GEF)

    23. 2010

      Principal Investigator, Biodiversity Assessment of Urban Wetlands in the Western Region, Ghana with focus on Essei and Butuah Lagoons and the Whin River Estuary

      USAID through Friends of the Nation

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