News Release: Pioneering Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann Joins Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) Board

ESSA is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann to its Board of Trustees. With extensive experience as a Ghanaian academic, biomedical engineer, and renowned scholar, she will play a pivotal role in building upon ESSA’s growing track record of achieving a positive impact on some of the continent’s biggest challenges in Education.

Commenting on the appointment, ESSA’s Chair Patrick Dunne, said, "We warmly welcome Professor Effah Kaufmann to our board. Her invaluable expertise and insights into the challenges faced by universities in Ghana and across Africa and her reputation as an innovator and thought leader will be huge assets as we continue to grow our reach and impact. As one of the leading female academics on the continent, she is also an inspirational role model.’’

Professor Effah Kaufmann currently serves as the Associate Professor and Founding Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Ghana. She is also known for hosting the National Science and Math Quiz. Her extensive teaching experience and contributions to the establishment of various departments exemplify her dedication to education.

We were honoured to have Professor Effah Kaufmann join ESSA's recent Industry Roundtable discussion on the transition from school to work and the launch of our report titled "What Next? Enhancing African Students' Transition to Employment through Effective Career Services." She emphasised the crucial collaboration required among government, industry, and academia to bridge the gap between students and employment. According to Professor Effah Kaufmann, industry must provide students with greater and improved opportunities to equip them for the job market after their studies.

Speaking about her appointment, Professor Effah Kaufmann emphasised ESSA's commitment to showcasing world-class research from Africa. She said, "I am particularly impressed by ESSA's evidence-based and pioneering work and excited to join the Board. Whether it is helping to solve the faculty crisis, enabling African research to have its rightful place in influencing policy and shaping global thinking or the work that ESSA is doing on employment it is making a significant impact in improving education outcomes for young people."

She added, "Collaborating with my fellow trustees, I aim to support ESSA in deepening conversations and further increasing its impact. Together, we can make a tangible difference in improving education across Africa."

Lucy Heady, ESSA’s CEO concluded by saying, “Professor Elsie Kaufmann joins a highly engaged and diverse board who provide the right balance of oversight and support to our team. We are already greatly enjoying her combination of strategic savvy and pragmatic grounded approach which is a great fit with our values: Evidence based, Solutions focussed, Strengthening trust and Always learning.”