Professor Christian Agyare has officially been sworn in as the 13th Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), taking over from Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, the university's first female Vice-Chancellor.

The Professor was sworn in by the Chancellor of the University, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, during an investiture ceremony at the Great Hall of KNUST on Saturday, August 1, 2026.

The ceremony brought together some high-profile personalities, including the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Dr Julius Debrah, members of academia, traditional and religious leaders, as well as political figures.

Professor Agyare assumes office with more than two decades of experience in academia, research and university administration, having most recently served as Provost of KNUST's College of Health Sciences.

A Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, he is internationally recognised for his research in natural products pharmacology, antimicrobial resistance, wound healing, ethnopharmacology, parasitology and anticancer drug discovery.

He holds Bachelor of Pharmacy and Master of Pharmacy degrees from KNUST and obtained a Doctor rerum naturalium (Dr. rer. nat.) degree from the University of Münster in Germany.

He later undertook postdoctoral and research appointments at Novartis/Seeding Labs in Boston and the University of California, San Francisco, where his work focused on pharmaceutical research and treatments for parasitic diseases.

Professor Agyare has published more than 200 peer-reviewed research papers and has received over 5,000 citations, with an H-index of 36 and an i10-index of 84.

His research has attracted more than US$11 million in competitive grants from international institutions, including the German Research Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Mastercard Foundation and the World Bank.

Within KNUST, he has served in several leadership roles, including on the University Executive Committee, Academic Board, Planning and Resources Committee, Budgetary Committee, and the Appointments and Promotions Committee.

Between 2016 and 2020, he headed the university's Quality Assurance and Planning Unit, where he spearheaded reforms aimed at strengthening institutional governance, accountability and operational efficiency.

As Provost of the College of Health Sciences from 2020, Professor Agyare oversaw the introduction of new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, expanded postgraduate enrolment and supported the development of academic and health-related infrastructure.

His appointment comes with expectations that he will build on KNUST's reputation as one of Africa's leading science and technology universities by strengthening research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Professor Agyare has outlined a vision centred on expanding research output, accelerating technology-driven transformation, promoting entrepreneurship and enhancing student-centred learning.

He is a Fellow of the Ghana College of Pharmacists and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, a distinguished alumnus of Prempeh College, a practising pharmacist and a member of the Kwadaso Methodist Church.

Professor Agyare is married to Dr (Pharm.) Charlotte Sena Agyare, and they have three children.

The Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged the university's newly inaugurated Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christian Agyare, to lead through consultation, dialogue and openness rather than command.

Speaking at the investiture ceremony where Professor Agyare was sworn in as the 13th Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, charged him to promote unity, fairness and transparency in leading the university.

The Asantehene urged the new Vice-Chancellor to rely on the university's established structures in addressing disagreements and ensure that internal challenges do not affect public confidence in the institution.

According to him, Professor Agyare’s previous role as Provost of the College of Health Sciences had given him insight into the concerns and expectations of students, staff, alumni and other stakeholders.

"As a former provost, you have been part of management and are therefore very familiar with the concerns of students, staff, alumni and other stakeholders. Now, becoming a Vice-Chancellor, you must rise above these concerns and provide solutions that inspire confidence," Otumfuo said.

He, however, noted that the position of Vice-Chancellor required a wider responsibility beyond addressing the concerns of specific groups, adding that the new university leader must work towards bringing the entire KNUST community together.

"Your responsibility will be to ensure that differences are managed through the university's established structures, through fairness, respect and openness," he stated.

The Asantehene further advised the Vice-Chancellor to prioritise dialogue in resolving disagreements within the university, stressing that leadership changes should not affect the institution’s core mandate.

"Internal challenges should strengthen the institution. Dialogue, rather than command, should guide the resolution of differences and not diminish public confidence in this great university. Leadership may change hands, but the mission of the university remains constant," he added.

Professor Agyare, who takes over from Professor Rita Akosua Dickson, pledged to build on the achievements of KNUST by promoting innovation, strengthening collaborations and encouraging shared responsibility among members of the university community.

"This honour belongs to all of us. Together, let us build on our rich legacy, embrace innovation, strengthen partnerships, and work collectively to transform KNUST into an even greater institution," he said.

"The journey ahead is one of shared purpose, and I invite every member of our community to join hands as we move from excellence to eminence."

The ceremony was attended by members of academia, traditional and religious leaders, as well as political figures, including the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Dr Julius Debrah.

In his remarks, Dr Debrah urged KNUST’s leadership to strengthen the university’s role in national development through innovation, entrepreneurship and the creation of opportunities for young people.

He said Ghana’s economic recovery must translate into practical opportunities for the youth through knowledge creation, enterprise development and job creation.

"Our economy has shown signs of recovery. We cannot be satisfied with an economy that grows on paper while too many young people remain outside its opportunities," he said.