Story: Atta Kwaku Boadi 

Ghanaian professor, Martin Oteng-Ababio  has become the first African to win the 2024 Kwadwo Konadu-Agyemang Distinguished Scholar in African Geography award from the African Specialty Group (ASG) of the American Association of Geographers (AAG).

A professor in urban geography and the Head of Department of Geography and Resource Development at the University of Ghana (UG) , Legon, Martin Oteng-Ababio  could  not hide his excitement when he spoke to this reporter in an interview after beating all odds  to become the first African to attain  such height.

“Indeed, my joy is that I am the first African from an African university to win the award. All previous awardees had come from universities in Europe and Americas. Today, we have broken that trajectory. Today, a Ghanaian from a Ghanaian University has beaten all to win. Thanks be to God”, he said.

To this end, he  thanked God for guiding him  on this journey. 

“Having my research accomplishments acknowledged by my national and international colleagues and the Association of American Geographers members is an incredible privilege. This diverse community has active representations from universities worldwide and among all races”, he added.

He, however, acknowledged the  contributions of  his colleagues in the Department of Geography and Resource Development including  research Co-Principal Investigators at the University of Copenhagen, the University of Roskilde, the University of Stuggart, and the University of Miami for  making  this  achievement  possible . 

According to him, they all became  instrumental in his  quest to tell the African story. 

The UG  professor also thanked his project funding agency, DANIDA, for its  continuous support. 

He went on to dedicate the award  to his  entire family, especially, his late  sister,  Margaret Oteng  and his  students .

This prestigious award is given annually to a distinguished scholar on any aspect of African geography.