Prof. Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu Elected UEW’s First Female Pro-Vice-Chancellor
Prof. Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu has emerged as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor-elect of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), awaiting approval by the UEW Council. She will be the first substantive female Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the university.
The highly competitive election, across the university’s campuses, saw Prof. Esther Danso-Wiredu narrowly defeat her closest contender, Prof. Imurana Awaisu Braimah, by 13 votes. The contest also included Prof. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong.
At the Ajumako Campus, Prof. Braimah secured victory with 31 votes, closely followed by Prof. Esther Danso-Wiredu with 27 votes, while Prof. Sarpong had four votes. However, at the Winneba Campus, where 581 valid votes were cast, Prof. Esther Danso-Wiredu led with 260 votes, ahead of Prof. Braimah with 243 votes and Prof. Sarpong with 74 votes, along with four rejected ballots.
In an interview following her victory, Prof. Esther Danso-Wiredu expressed gratitude and reaffirmed her commitment to inclusivity, respect, and humility in service.
"This is a victory for the university. I am in for inclusivity, respect, and humility in service. I pray that God gives us the grace to help the Vice-Chancellor fulfill his vision for this university and work effectively with management," she stated.
Acknowledging that her election marks only the first phase of the process, she called for unity and collaboration across the university. "I pray that the council affirms my nomination. Once that is done, I will work closely with management and the Vice-Chancellor to implement initiatives that align with his vision for the university. This is one university; we are one people. The election is over. Let us all come together and move UEW forward."
Prof. Esther Danso-Wiredu expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and the management for nominating her. She also commended the university community for their tremendous support. She emphasised the significant encouragement she received from students, junior and senior staff, and members of her campaign team.
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my support team and my department, Geography Education. The commitment and encouragement from both the staff and students have been invaluable throughout this process. I also wish to acknowledge and thank all those who endorsed me, collaborated with me, and offered supportive remarks. I am truly humbled and deeply appreciative."
As UEW awaits her formal appointment by the University Governing Council, Prof. Esther Danso-Wiredu’s ascension to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor role symbolises a significant step towards gender inclusivity in leadership at the university. Her academic prowess, extensive experience, and passion for educational development position her as a transformative leader poised to elevate UEW’s stature in Ghana and beyond.
Her election is not just a personal victory but a momentous achievement for the entire UEW community, inspiring women and young academics to pursue leadership roles within the higher education sector.
Profile of Prof. (Mrs.) Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu
Prof. (Mrs.) Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu is a highly regarded faculty member in the Department of Geography Education at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW). With years of dedication to her field, she has made significant contributions to the areas of geography, urban development, social inequality, and environmental sustainability through her extensive research and knowledge dissemination efforts.
She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geography from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, and a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Social Change from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). She also possesses a Post-Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from UEW, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence and pedagogy.
Research and Scholarly Contributions
With an extensive research portfolio, Prof. (Mrs.) Esther Danso-Wiredu’s work focuses on urban geography, housing typologies in Africa, environmental challenges, and gender and social development issues. She has authored several books and peer-reviewed journal articles that have significantly contributed to policy formulation and academia. Her scholarly engagements have earned her recognition as a respected researcher and thought leader in geography and urban studies.
Leadership and Institutional Service
Prof. (Mrs.) Esther Danso-Wiredu served as Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Development (DRID), where she spearheaded initiatives that enhanced the university’s research output and fostered academic collaborations.
Her previous roles include serving as the Deputy Director of DRID, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages Education, and Head of the Department of Geography Education. She has also been an active member of various boards and committees within UEW, contributing to strategic decision-making and policy implementation.
Grants and International Collaborations
Prof. (Mrs.) Esther Danso-Wiredu has been instrumental in securing research grants and leading collaborative projects on both national and international levels. She has been part of teams that have won significant grants, including funding from the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) and ERASMUS EDU, focusing on vocational education, sustainable transport, and urban planning. Her international engagements have also included guest lectures and research partnerships with institutions across Africa, Europe, and North America.
