PROFILE OF DR. AKOSUA KUMI NYARKO

Dr. Akosua Kumi Nyarko emerges as the best graduating student for the Class of 2023 with an FGPA of 3.81 

She had her senior high school education at Krobo Girls’ Presbyterian Senior High School from 2010-2013, where she offered General Science. Following this, she pursued a BSc in Animal Biology and Conservation Science at the University of Ghana from 2013 to 2017, achieving a second-class upper honours degree. Her academic involvement continued as she served as a teaching assistant in the Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science from 2017 to 2018.

Driven by her passion for aiding animals, Dr. Nyarko applied and gained admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ghana in 2018. Her dedication and excellence earned her the Provost Honours Award in July 2021, recognizing students with a GPA of 3.90 and above from various departments in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences. Additionally, she stood out as the overall best student during the white coat ceremony of the Class of 2023 in September 2021, receiving awards in the following subjects - gross anatomy, histology, embryology, pharmacology, veterinary biochemistry, veterinary parasitology, veterinary microbiology, and animal management.

Beyond her academic achievements, Dr. Nyarko held significant roles within the School of Veterinary Medicine and her religious denomination. In the Ghana Veterinary Students Association – University of Ghana (GVMSA-UG), she served as the secretary of the Academic Committee in the 2019/2020 academic year and later assumed the position of Editor-in-Chief in the 2020/2021 academic year. Furthermore, she acted as the Advisor at the National Union of Presbyterian Students – Ghana, UG local (UG – NUPS-G) from 2019 to 2023.

Driven by her dedication to improving animal health in Ghana and promoting love, welfare, and education about animals, as well as motivating vet students; Dr. Nyarko manages an Instagram account (@ghanaian_vetgirl) dedicated to this cause. Her interests lie in a holistic approach to health, advocating for the One Health policy, and focusing on public health, zoonoses, and the Human-Animal Bond.

Dr. Nyarko currently serves as a house officer at the Small Animal Teaching Hospital – UG. Her commitment to ensuring the well-being of animals and preventing disease transmission between animals and humans led her to initiate The Animal Aider Project (TAAP). This not-for profit, volunteering based project focuses on organizing free mass animal vaccination and community education initiatives in various Ghanaian communities.