Prof. (Mrs.) Esi Awuah, a distinguished faculty of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has been appointed as Ghana’s Ambassador to Switzerland.

An accomplished environmental scientist and academic leader, Prof. Awuah brings to her new diplomatic role a legacy of research excellence, institutional leadership, and an unwavering commitment to sustainable development.

Prof. Awuah’s academic journey began at KNUST, where she earned a degree in Biological Sciences. She later pursued a Master’s in Environmental Science at the State University of New York, followed by a PhD in Wastewater Treatment at Wageningen University and UNESCO-IHE in the Netherlands.

She made history as the founding Vice-Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, where she championed interdisciplinary research, gender inclusion, and community engagement.

Under her leadership, UENR became a centre for climate-smart innovation and energy policy, attracting both local and international collaborations.

Beyond her institutional leadership, Prof. Awuah has consulted for UNESCO, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank.

Her pioneering research in wastewater treatment and environmental health has informed policy and practice across Africa and positioned her as a leading voice where science meets global diplomacy.

Her outstanding contributions to academia and development have been recognised with numerous honours, including the Presidential Award of the Order of the Volta (2016), Fellowship of the African Academy of Sciences (2015), and Honorary Fellowship of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (2014), among several international research and innovation awards.