Prof. Alexander Yaw Debrah Appointed Scientific Director of KCCR, Effective August 2026
The College of Health Sciences (CHS), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), proudly celebrates the appointment of Prof. Alexander Yaw Debrah as the new Scientific Director of the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR). His appointment takes effect from 1st August 2026, marking a significant milestone in the Centre’s pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and global health leadership.
Prof. Debrah, a distinguished Professor of Parasitology and Global Health, brings to the role an outstanding record of academic achievement, research excellence, and administrative leadership. He holds a PhD in Medical Parasitology from KNUST and the University of Bonn, and has served KNUST with distinction since joining the University as a lecturer in 2007.
Over the years, he has occupied several strategic leadership positions within the University, including Head of Department, Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, and Acting Provost of the College of Health Sciences. He currently serves as Chairman of the Graduate Committee of the College of Health Sciences, a member of the School of Graduate Studies Board, and the College’s representative on the KNUST Academic Board.
Prof. Debrah is internationally recognised for his pioneering contributions to research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), particularly filarial infections. His work has significantly advanced understanding and management of these diseases, improving health outcomes in endemic communities across Africa and beyond.
His research portfolio reflects a strong commitment to global collaboration and scientific innovation. He maintains active partnerships with leading institutions, including the University of Bonn, Case Western Reserve University, University of Buea, The Task Force for Global Health, and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, among others.
A notable highlight of his career is his leadership of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)-funded TAKeOFF Consortium, a major multinational research initiative involving institutions in Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania, and Germany. Through this and numerous other projects, Prof. Debrah has successfully attracted research funding from prestigious organisations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the European Commission, the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and the German Research Foundation (DFG). His grant portfolio exceeds €15 million, underscoring his remarkable ability to secure competitive international funding.
In recognition of his scientific contributions, Prof. Debrah has received several distinguished awards, including honours from the German Paul-Ehrlich-Society for Anti-Infective Therapy (PEG) and the German Momento Research Prize. His influence extends beyond academia, having served in numerous national and international leadership roles, including as Chair of the Planning Committee of the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) of the American Society for Microbiology.
With more than 120 publications in peer-reviewed journals, Prof. Debrah is widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading voices in tropical medicine and global health research.
The College of Health Sciences warmly congratulates Prof. Alexander Yaw Debrah on this well-deserved appointment. His extensive experience, visionary leadership, and commitment to scientific excellence position him strongly to lead KCCR into a new era of impactful research, innovation, and international collaboration.
As he assumes office, the College is confident that KCCR will continue to strengthen its reputation as a leading centre for tropical medicine research, contributing significantly to scientific discovery, policy development, and improved health outcomes across Ghana, Africa, and the world.
