prof. francis ackah armah

Associate Professor of Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry: Driving Excellence in Herbal Medicine Research & Education

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce Professor Francis Ackah Armah, an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast.

An accomplished educationalist with teaching experience spanning from the basic to the tertiary level, Prof. Armah is both an Associate Professor of Pharmacognosy and an Organic Chemist. His expertise is underpinned by specialized training in good manufacturing practices for herbal medicines, as well as in quality control and safety.

Prof. Armah was born in Axim on April 11, 1975. His academic journey began at Bibiani D/C ‘B’ JHS, after which he pursued his secondary education at the Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS), Takoradi, completing in 1993. He then attended Enchi Training College (now Enchi College of Education), where he obtained a Teacher’s Certificate “A” in 1998. After four years of teaching, he enrolled at the University of Cape Coast, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2006 and an MPhil in Chemistry in 2011. His thirst for advanced knowledge led him to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where he earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacognosy in 2016.

His research focuses on medicinal chemistry, natural product chemistry, and drug discovery, particularly the testing and development of standardized herbal products. He is passionately dedicated to formulating safe, affordable herbal medicines and to influencing national herbal medicine policy through rigorous scientific research. Prof. Armah has published over 45 research papers in reputable peer-reviewed journals, further cementing his contribution to advancing pharmacognosy and natural product science.

Prof. Armah has had a distinguished career. Before joining the University of Cape Coast, he taught at various levels, including basic schools, senior high schools, and colleges of education. Rising steadily through the academic ranks, he became a Lecturer in 2016, a Senior Lecturer in 2019, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2023.

A pragmatic achiever with excellent interpersonal skills, Prof. Armah has demonstrated outstanding leadership. He has served as Head of the Department of Health Information Management, Laboratory Manager, Hall Tutor of Casely Hayford Hall, and currently serves as the Board Chairman for the College of Pharmacists. He is also a collaborative researcher with extensive professional links, holding active memberships in the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association (GHAFTRAM), the West African Network of Natural Product Research Scientists (WANNPRESS), the Society for Medicinal Plant & Natural Product Research (Germany), the American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP) and the Ghana Chemical Society. He is also a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK) and the American Chemical Society (USA)

Prof. Armah has been the recipient of multiple research grants, where he has led and co-led impactful projects. Above all, he is a dedicated mentor who has supervised several postgraduate students. His commitment to education, research, and community service continues to inspire colleagues and students alike.

Prof. Francis Ackah Armah is married and blessed with six wonderful children.