Prof. Edward Wiafe Debrah Advocates for Science-Driven Conservation to Secure Africa's Future

Professor Edward Wiafe Debrah, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), has called for an urgent shift toward science-driven conservation to protect Africa’s biodiversity. Delivering his inaugural lecture, Prof. Debrah warned that the continent’s accelerating loss of natural species is not merely an environmental crisis but a direct threat to food security, climate resilience, and sustainable economic growth. He argued that ecosystem protection must be elevated to a national development priority, requiring immediate attention from policymakers and stakeholders across the continent. The lecture underscored the intense pressures currently facing Africa’s ecosystems, including habitat destruction, climate change, and industrial pollution. Drawing on his extensive research into endangered primates, Prof. Debrah emphasized that successful conservation must balance economic development with environmental stewardship. He advocated for community-centered approaches, noting that local populations must be integrated into the scientific and decision-making processes to ensure that conservation efforts are both practical and sustainable. To address these challenges, the Professor called for a robust collaboration between governments, academic institutions, and local communities. He stressed that political commitment is essential to integrating scientific evidence into environmental policy. The event, attended by university leadership and environmental experts, concluded with a call for a unified front to safeguard the continent’s biological heritage, positioning science at the heart of Africa’s sustainable development agenda.