Ghanaian medical anthropologist, Professor Margaret Gyapong, has been co-elected as the president of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH).
She shares the presidency with Dr. Wendy Harrison.
Professor Gyapong, who is the Director of the Institute of Health Research and Coordinator of the Centre for Health Policy and Implementation Research at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), expressed her commitment to addressing global health challenges and achieving the sustainable development goals during her tenure as co-president.
“My Co-President, Dr Wendy Harrison, and I pledge to work with key stakeholders in identifying and addressing current global health challenges to the best of our ability.
“My Co-Presidency with Professor Margaret Gyapong, starting in 2024 aims to strengthen this spirit of collaboration,” she added.
Dr. Wendy Harrison, who also begins her role as a Trustee, emphasized the importance of effective partnerships in tackling global health challenges and realizing RSTMH’s vision.
They both expressed their gratitude to Professor Janet Hemingway for her support and dedication as a Trustee and Past President as she steps down from these roles.
Professor Margaret Gyapong has a background in health systems, implementation research, gender studies, and the socio-cultural aspects of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Malaria, and Maternal and Child Health.
She has held various key positions in the field of global health, including serving on WHO committees and advisory groups.
In recognition of her contributions, she has received awards such as the Heroine of Health award from Women in Global Health for her work on Neglected Tropical Diseases and the title of the most outstanding female scientist of the year by The European and Clinical Trials Partnership in 2021 for her research, training, and mentorship efforts in reducing poverty-related diseases.
