Interview with Grace Nkansa Asante

Grace Nkansa Asante is professor of economics at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana, the first female economist to hold this rank in Ghana. She has previously worked as a research officer in the governance division of the African Development Bank, and has been a public administrator at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. In addition to being a professor, she is also an Anglican priest.

When and where were you born?
I was born in 1965 in Kumasi, in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

How has this shaped who you are?
Growing up I have lived with many people, and this has made me strong and hardworking.

Have you had a ‘eureka’ moment?
When I received my letter of promotion to professor, it was normal to me, so I just thanked God for the promotion until one of my young colleagues, Frank Adusah-Poku, researched and found out that I am the first female professor of economics in Ghana. They posted this on the website of the department of economics at KNUST, where I work. The main university picked it up and then it went viral. This quickly changed my emotions, and I felt so humbled and so excited.

What attracted you to studying economics in the first place?
I did not really have any motivation to study economics; when I was young I wanted to be a medical officer. When I got to form 3 [aged 14-15], when we select our areas of study, I lost my father and I lost a little bit of direction. I selected to study home science so that I could study the same programme as my best and only close friend at school at that time. When I got to form 4, I wanted to change back to read pure science, but I was denied. So, whether by design or mistake I read economics and passed well at O level. I continued into sixth form and here I am as an economist today.

Why has it taken so long for Ghana to have a female economics professor?
Many women do not specialise in this study area. The few that do get better jobs and leave academia. It is only recently that some universities have had female lecturers in economics, and some universities still do not.

How does it feel knowing you will always be the first? What do you hope this will achieve?
This milestone has actually humbled me, and I feel greatly honoured. I think it will keep my name in history because no one can take this achievement from me. It is God-given. I will always be remembered.

What have been the challenges you have faced working in such a typically male-dominated field?
Actually, I have not had any challenges working in my department with my male colleagues. When I joined, I was the only female, but we have worked together like there is no gender difference. They appreciate me in their midst and there are times I feel they are proud of me. I do not feel intimidated in any way. There are times when I go abroad to attend an academic programme, I become the only female among hundreds of men. I feel I am competent in my area of specialisation.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Most times we want certain things to happen within our time but, if it is delayed, we just need to keep working hard in patience. In God’s own time, it will come in a grand style.

What has changed most in global higher education in the past five to 10 years?
The use of technology in teaching and learning has had both good and bad influences on teachers and students. The use of the internet and globalisation has increased the number of students moving around the world to acquire knowledge. This has enormous social and academic implications for our young ones. Many more programmes have been introduced into the educational system. This has increased the number of experts that the world can boast of. The use of technology has introduced online programmes and distance learning modes, and this has increased the literacy rate around the globe. Faculty also move around to teach in other universities more than they used to. This has increased the number of visiting lecturers, which is aiding the sharing of knowledge and improving the capacities of faculty.

What are the best and worst things about your job?
The best things about lecturing are being able to make an impact on people’s lives, taking joy from seeing your students prosper in their endeavours, meeting people from diverse backgrounds, expanding one’s knowledge capacity, and many more advantages. The worst things are the stress one has to always accommodate due to workload and the big sacrifices you need to make to work efficiently.

What do you do for fun?
Listen to music, spend some time with children and drive around to admire nature.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your two decades of teaching? 
One needs to be focused, hard-working and respectful. Being focused helps one to follow issues to a successful end. Being hard-working helps one to go through all the numerous tasks one has to take up to perform well. Being respectful to all is very important, because some of the students we teach are chief executives. Respect all who come your way and build good relationships, is my advice.

What is the biggest misconception about your field of study?
Many people think economics is difficult.

If you weren’t an academic, what do you think you’d be doing?
I would have been a director in the public sector.

What would you like to be remembered for?
My generosity and discipline.

Do you consider yourself a reverend first, or a professor first?
Interestingly, I am not particular about these. What is important to me is to perform all the tasks I need to.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com

CV

2000-02 MA, economics policy management, University of Ghana
2002-04 Research assistant, African Development Bank
2004-11 Lecturer, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
2011-18 Senior lecturer,  KNUST
2018-22 Associate professor, KNUST
2022-present Professor, KNUST

Appointments

Clare Pollock has been named vice-chancellor of Australia’s Edith Cowan University, taking on the role in September following the retirement of Steve Chapman. The psychologist is currently senior deputy vice-chancellor and provost at Western Sydney University, and before that held leadership roles at Flinders and Curtin universities. She said she wanted ECU to “increase research impact, engaging with industry and government to provide solutions on issues that matter to our communities”.

Sir John Aston has been appointed pro vice-chancellor for research at the University of Cambridge. The Harding professor of statistics in public life succeeds Anne Ferguson-Smith, who is becoming executive chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, and said he was “honoured and privileged” to take on the role. Cambridge has also appointed Anna Philpott pro vice-chancellor for resources and operations. She is presently head of the School of Biological Sciences.

Simone Buitendijk has been confirmed as deputy vice-chancellor and provost at the University of Salford, having previously held the position on an interim basis. Previously she was vice-chancellor of the University of Leeds, vice-provost (education) of Imperial College London and vice-rector (education) of Leiden University.

Symeon Dagkas has been appointed vice-chancellor of the University of Chichester and will take up the post in November, following the retirement of Jane Longmore. He is currently provost and chief academic officer at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.

Martin Evans is joining Durham University as executive dean for social sciences and health. He is currently professor of geomorphology and vice-dean and head of the School of Environment, Education and Development at the University of Manchester. Durham has also made permanent the interim appointment of chief financial officer Neil Scott.