Chair
Brief info
Emeritus Professor Victor Patrick Yao Gadzekpo is a Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast and past President of Central University. He was born on 1st December, 1949 in Anloga in the Volta Region of Ghana. He started his primary education at Anloga Roman Catholic School and completed it at Rev. Cobbina Yalley Middle Memorial School at Effia Kuma, Takoradi in 1965. He had his secondary education at Suhum Secondary Technical School from 1965-1970. He holds two undergraduate degrees from the University of Cape Coast, a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, 1971-1977. He holds a Master of Science degree in Analytical Chemistry (1979-1982) from the University of Washington, Seattle, USA, where he also earned his Ph.D. (1982-1984).
He was appointed a senior lecturer in the University of Cape Coast in 1987 and quickly rose through the various positions to become a full Professor in 2000. At the University of Cape Coast, he served and held different positions including Hall Counselor, Coordinator of the Computer Centre, Head of Department of Chemistry, Vice Dean of Faculty of Science and substantive Dean of the Faculty of Science among others.
He has held several academic and administrative positions outside the University of Cape Coast among which are Consultant to the World Bank from 1998-2000; Visiting Professor to the University of Tokyo, Japan from 1998-2000; and Research Fellow at the University of Wales College of Cardiff, UK, from 1984-1985. Between 1985 and 1987, he spent his time between the University of Cambridge and LKB Biochrom Ltd, where he conducted research in electrochemistry and developed electro analytical instruments. He was External Examiner and Assessor at various Ghanaian universities.
He served on several committees and boards and is currently the Chairman of the Anlo Education Trust Fund and a member of Council for the University of Health and Allied Sciences. He was a member of the Board for the National Nuclear Research Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and served as a member of the African Virtual University Curriculum Team.
Professor Gadzekpo is recognized as having made significant contribution to scientific knowledge. In 1984 he published a new method for the Determination of Selectivity Coefficient. This method, called the matched Potential Method, was accepted and adopted in 1994 by the International Union of Pure Applied Chemistry. The method is thus the approved method currently used throughout the world. He has also researched significantly into the fabrication of ion selective electrodes for use in the determination of lithium in the blood of manic-depressive patients on lithium therapy. In addition, he has researched into development of industrial raw material substitutes from local materials. He is credited for the extension of the shelf life of "asana", a popular local malt drink which unfortunately ferments very quickly.
For his research into local raw materials for use in industries and for his contribution to the study and teaching of Chemistry in Ghana, he was awarded the State Award for Science and Technology in 1998. At Suhum Secondary-Technical School, young Gadzekpo was a Religious Activities Prefect. He was awarded Gentleman of the Year in Suhum Secondary-Technical School in 1969, was presented a Bank of Ghana Scholarship for Best 1st Year Science Students in 1974, an African-American Institute Scholarship (AFGRAD) in 1979, awarded USA/Commonwealth Visiting Scholar in 1984, and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowship Award in 1998.
Professor Gadzekpo has published extensively in international journals and has held many positions in this regard including Editor of the Ghana Journal of Chemistry, Editor of Chemistry and Industry, and President of the Ghana Chemical Society.
He is married with a daughter and is an avid flower gardener.
Emeritus Professor Victor.Patrick. Yao. Gadzekpo was elected to fellowship of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2004.