The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is today welcoming a new Governing Council led by prominent scientist Professor Lise Korsten who is the first woman President to lead the Academy. She will serve for a three-year term running from 2023-2026.  
 
The Governing Council is the Board of Directors of the African Academy of Sciences tasked with providing oversight for the overall functioning of the Academy. It currently consists of eight members elected by the General Assembly. 
 
Prof. Lise Korsten takes over from Prof. Felix Dapare Dakora, a Ghanaian plant biologist who served as the AAS President for two terms from 2017 to 2020 and from 2020 to 2023. 
 
The new AAS President is a professor in plant pathology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. She is also the Co-Director of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), Centre of Excellence in Food Security in South Africa.  
 
Dr. Peggy Oti-Boateng, Executive Director at the African Academy of Sciences, says “I look forward to working collaboratively with the new Governing Council to achieve the Academy’s goals. I am confident that the new leadership will enable the AAS to thrive, innovate, and make a lasting impact on the scientific landscape of Africa.” 
 
The Governing Council members are distinguished scientists who bring a wealth of experience and are from Burundi, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Tunisia and the Republic of South Africa. 
 
The new Governing Council members officially begin their three-year terms from July 2023 – July 2026 and can serve a maximum of two terms. The new GC members are: 
•    The President: Professor Lise Korsten  
•    The Secretary General: Professor Friday Okonofua  
•    The Treasurer: Professor Stephen Agong  
•    The Vice President for the Northern Africa Region: Professor Rajaa Cherkaoui
•    The Vice President for the Eastern Africa Region: Professor Juma Shabani 
•    The Vice President for the Western Africa Region: Professor Paco Sereme 
•    The Vice President for the Central Africa Region: Professor Godfrey Tangwa 
•    The Vice President for the Southern Africa Region: Professor Kenneth Ozoemena 
 
NOTES TO EDITORS 
 
The African Academy of Sciences  
The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is a non-aligned, non-political, not-for-profit pan African organisation whose vision is to see transformed lives on the African continent through science. Our tripartite mandate is recognising excellence, providing advisory and think tank functions, and implementing key science, technology and innovation programmes addressing Africa’s developmental challenges. 
 
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