Prof. Osei-Amponsah is a Professor of Animal Breeding Genetics and Head of Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture, University of Ghana. He has post-doctoral research experience from Cambridge University, UK and at the University of Melbourne, Australia. He serves on the governing Board of the West African Livestock Innovation Centre (WALIC), the Gambia and on the Executive Committee of the All-African Society of Animal Production (AASAP). He is deeply passionate about educating the next generation of agricultural scientists and has successfully supervised and mentored 55 undergraduate (BSc) and 12 graduate (Masters and PhD) students, guiding them to the successful completion of their research projects. He teaches Animal Breeding and Genetics, Quantitative and Population Genetics, Biometry and Human Physiology. He is a team player with excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to continuous learning and sharing knowledge with colleagues and students. Prof. Richard Osei-Amponsah is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.

1. Academic/Research Work
   • Number of Refereed Journals Publications: 65
   • Number of Refereed Book Chapters: 13
   • Published Abstracts and Conference Presentations: 43
   • Number of Graduate Students Supervised: 4 PhD; 6 MPhil; 1

   Funded Research Projects

   • Tropical Poultry Genetics Solutions Project (TPGS) – Ghana, 2021 – Date (Collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute, ILRI)
   • Heat stress adaptation in ruminant livestock, 2018 – Date (Collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Australia)
   • Genotyping of local Ashanti Dwarf Pig of Ghana, 2013-2018 (Collaboration with the Cambridge University, UK)

   University Service

   • Member, Board of Graduate Studies, University of Ghana, 2024 – Date
   • Examinations Officer, Department of Animal Science, University of Ghana, 2024 – 2025
   • Member, Radio Univers Management Board, University of Ghana, 2020-2024
   • Member, UG Academic Board, University of Ghana, 2013-2017; 2020 – Date
   • Member, CBAS Academic Board, University of Ghana (UG), 2017-2018; 2020-Date
   • Member, Search Committee for International Programmes Co-ordinator, CBAS, UG, 2022.
   • Council Member, Commonwealth Hall, UG, 2018 – Date
   • Hall Tutor, Commonwealth Hall, UG, 2021 – 2025

   International/Public Service

   • Member, Management Board, West Africa Livestock Innovation Centre (WALIC), the Gambia, 2024 – Date.
   • Member, African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)’s African Technology and Innovation Incubators Advisory Committee (ATIIAC), 2020 – Date
   • Executive Committee Member of the All-African Society of Animal Production (AASAP), 2019 – Date.
   • External Examiner – Department of Animal Science, University of Cape Coast, 2023 – Date
   • External Examiner – Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, 2023 – Date
   • External Examiner – Department of Animal Science, Akenten-Appiah Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneur Development (AAMUSTED), Kumasi, Ghana, 2022 – Date
   • External Examiner – Department of Animal Science, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, 2023 – Date
   • External Examiner – Department of Animal Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia, 2023 – Date

    

   Professional Affiliations

   • Ghana Society of Animal Production (GSAP), 2003 to date
   • Ghana Animal Science Association (GASA), 2005 to date
   • All Africa Society of Animal Production (AASAP), 2005 to date

    

   Author Profile Pages

   • SCOPUS: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=8721186900
   • Web of Science: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/AAE-4761-2019
   • Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=b-aVDs8AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

    

   Selected Journal Publications (since 2020)

    

   1. Aryee, S. N. D., Owusu-Adjei, D., Osei-Amponsah, R., Skinner, B. M., Bauer, J., Ahunu, B., Enright, A., & Sargent, C. A., 2026. Genome-Wide Characterisation of the Ashanti Dwarf Pig Within a Global Context: Insights into Diversity, Inbreeding, and Adaptive Signatures. Life, 16(5), 745.
   2. Joy, A., Mohapatra, S., Dunshea, F.R., Leury, B.J., DiGiacomo, K., Zhang, M.H., Abhijith, A., Osei-Amponsah, R., Clarke, I.J. & Chauhan, S.S., 2026. Differences in expression of growth, immune activity and adaptation related genes in heat stressed dorper and second cross lambs. Research in Veterinary Science, p.106087.
   3. Katee, S.M., Botes, M., Hayah, I. …. Osei-Amponsah R.……et al. 2026. Expanding African biodiversity genomics to meet global biodiversity goals. Rev. Biodivers. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44358-026-00143-3
   4. Bai, M., Prathap, P., Elayadeth-Meethal, M., Flavel, M., Eckard, R., Dunshea, F.R., Osei-Amponsah, R., Ashar, M.J., Chen, D. and Chauhan, S., 2025. Polyphenol-Containing Feed Additive Polygain™ Reduces Methane Production and Intensity from Grazing Dairy Cows Measured Using an Inverse-Dispersion Technique. Animals, 15(7), p.926.
   5. Osei-Amponsah, R., Prathap, P., Dunshea, F. R., Eckard, R., Flavel, M., Elayadeth-Meethal, M., & Chauhan, S. S. 2025. Sugarcane Extract (Polygain™) Supplementation Reduces Enteric Methane Emission in Dairy Calves. Animals, 15(6), 781. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060781
   6. Agyemang-Duah, E., Poku, R. A., Naazie, A., Dessie, T., & Osei-Amponsah, R. (2025). Egg quality and hatchability of Kuroiler and local Ghanaian chickens. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science, 16(1), 88-96. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/gjansci/article/view/297034
   7. Poku, R. A., Agyemang-Duah, E., Donkor, S., Ayizanga, R. A., Osei-Amponsah, R., Rekaya, R., & Aggrey, S. E. 2024. Changes in rectal temperature as a means of assessing heat tolerance and sensitivity in chickens. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 56(9), 391.
   8. Osei-Amponsah, R., Poku, R. A., Duah, E. A., Naazie, A., Ayizanga, R., Njamba, H., … & Dessie, T. 2024. Genetics solutions for improved chicken production in Ghana. In Genetic Resources (Vol. 5, No. 10, pp. 107-116). https://doi.org/10.46265/genresj.OFCR3000
   9. Gupta, M., Vaidya, M., Kumar, S., Singh, G., Osei-Amponsah, R., & Chauhan, S. S. 2025. Heat stress: a major threat to ruminant reproduction and mitigating strategies. International Journal of Biometeorology, 69(1), 209-224.
   10. Adam N R, Adjorlolo L K, Obese F Y, Osae M, Ayizanga R A, Osei-Amponsah R and Nagetey A 2024. Intake, growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chicken fed diets containing black soldier fly larvae meal. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 36, Article #52. Retrieved August 26, 2025, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd36/5/3652LKad.html
   11. Tijjani, A., Kambal, S., Terefe, E., Njeru, R., Ogugo, M., Ndambuki, G., Missohou, A., Traore, A., Salim, B., Ezeasor, C., D’andre, C., Obishakin, E., Diallo, B., Talaki, E., Abdoukarim, I., Nash, O., Osei-Amponsah, R., Ravaorimanana, S., Zegeye, T., Mukasa, C., James Prendergast, C., Han, J-L., Hanotte, O., Isaa, Y., Marshall, K., Kemp, S., & Christian Tiambo. 2024. Genomic Reference Resource for African Cattle: Genome Sequences and High-Density Array Variants. Scientific Data 11(1), 801. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-024-03589-2
   12. Aryee, S.N.D., Owusu-Adjei, D., Osei-Amponsah, R., Skinner, B.M., Amuzu-Aweh, E.N., Ahunu, B., Enright, A., & Sargent, C.A. (2024). Population Structure and Genomic Characterisation of the Ashanti Dwarf Pig of Ghana. Animals, 14, 792. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050792
   13. Wikondi, J., Meutchieye, F., Adenyo, C., Osei-Amponsah, R., Kayang, B.B., Tomedi, M.E.T., (2023). Genetic diversity of bonytongue fish Heterotis niloticus (Cuvier, 1829) in Cameroon, Central Africa, Scientific African, 22, e01975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2023.e01975
   14. Ojango, J.M.K., Okpeku, M., Osei-Amponsah, R., Kugonza, D.R., Mwai, O. and Changunda, M.G.G., & Olori,V. E., 2023. Dorper sheep in Africa: A review of their use and performance in different environments. CABI Reviews, doi:10.1079/cabireviews.2023.0042, CABI International.
   15. Chauhan, S. S., Zhang, M., Osei-Amponsah, R., Clarke, I., Sejian, V., Warner, R., & Dunshea, F. R. (2023). Impact of heat stress on ruminant livestock production and meat quality, and strategies for amelioration. Animal Frontiers, 13(5),60-68. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfad046
   16. Osei-Amponsah, R., Dunshea, F.R., Leury, B.J., Abhijith, A., & Chauhan, S.S. (2023). Association of Phenotypic Markers of Heat Tolerance with Australian Genomic Estimated Breeding Values and Dairy Cattle Selection Indices. Animals 13,2259. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13142259
   17. Birhanu, M.Y., Osei-Amponsah, R., Obese, F.Y., & Dessie, T. (2023). Smallholder poultry production in the context of increasing global food prices: roles in poverty reduction and food security, Animal Frontiers 13(1),17-25. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfac069
   18. Djimenou D., Adoligbe, C.M, Aboh, A.B., Amagnide A.G., Osei-Amponsah, R., Aime, K.E. , Tobada, P.C., & Kouadande, D.O. (2021). Assessment of reproductive performances of native sows in Southern Benin. Translational Animal Science, 5(2),1-7. https://doi.org/10.5897/IJLP2020.0716
   19. Hagan, B., Timpong-Jones, E.C., & Osei-Amponsah, R. (2022). Herder-farmer conflicts amidst COVID-19 pandemic in West Africa. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science 12(1),1-11. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361764926
   20. Adoligbe, C., Hounkeala, T., Djimenou, D., Adido, S., Goussanou, A., Osei- Amponsah, R., Koudande, D., & Farougou, S., (2022). Muturu Cattle Breed in Benin: Distribution, Phenotypic Diversity, Perception of Cattle Keepers and Implications for the Breed conservation. Genetics & Biodiversity Journal, 6(1):196–218. https://doi.org/10.46325/gabj.v6i1.210
   21. Obese, F. Y., Osei-Amponsah, R., Otsyina, H. R., & Bekoe, E., (2022). Mitigating the Impact of Covid-19 on Ghana’s Livestock Industry: The Role of Stakeholders. European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 4(3):77–80. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejfood.2022.4.3.507
   22. Agyemang-Duah, E., Bekoe, L.E., Oppong-Anane, K. and Osei-Amponsah, R., 2022. Sustainable Cattle Ranching in West Africa – A Review. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science 12(1),12-25.
   23. Osei-Amponsah, R., Kanlisi, R., Adjei, O.D., & Naazie, A., 2022. A review on the impact of gene flow on diversity of animal genetic resources. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science 12(1),26-36.
   24. Zhang, M., Warner, R.D., Dunshea, F.R., DiGiacomo, K., Joy, A., Abhijith, A., Osei- Amponsah, R., Hopkins, D. L., Ha, M., & Chauhan, S.S., 2021. Impact of heat stress on the growth performance and retail meat quality of 2nd cross (Poll Dorset × (Border Leicester × Merino)) and Dorper lambs, Meat Science, 181,108581, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2021.108581
   25. Joy, A., Taheri, S., Dunshea, F.R., Leury, B.J., DiGiacomo, K., Osei- Amponsah, R., Brodie, G., & Chauhan, S.S., 2021. Non-invasive measure of heat stress in sheep using machine learning techniques and infrared thermography, Small Ruminant Research, 207,106592. ISSN: 0921-4488, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2021.106592.
   26. Djimenou D., Adoligbe, C.M, Aboh, A.B., Amagnide A.G., Osei-Amponsah, R., Aime, K.E. , Tobada, P.C., & Kouadande, D.O., 2021. Assessment of reproductive performances of native sows in Southern Benin. Translational Animal Science, 5(2),1-7. https://doi.org/10.5897/IJLP2020.0716
   27. Abhijith, A., Warner, R.D., Ha, M., Frank R. Dunshea, F.R., Leury, B.J., Minghao Zhang, M., Joy, A., Osei-Amponsah, R., & Chauhan, S.C., 2021. Effect of slaughter age and post-mortem days on meat quality of longissimus and semimembranosus muscles of Boer goats. Meat Science 175,108466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2021.108466
   28. Aryee, S.N.D., Owusu-Adjei, D., Osei-Amponsah, R., Skinner, B., Sowatey, E., & Sargent, C.A., 2021. Sustainable genomic research for food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Agriculture & Food Security 10, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-021-00287-9
   29. Obese, F.Y., Osei-Amponsah, R., Timpong-Jones, E., & Bekoe, E. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on animal production in Ghana. Animal Frontiers 11(1):43–46. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfaa056
   30. Chauhan, S.S., Osei-Amponsah, R., Sejian, V., & Dunshea, F.R., 2021. Applications of Genetic Selection in Breeding for Thermo-Tolerance in Livestock. In: Sejian, V., Chauhan, S.S., Devaraj, C., Malik, P.K., Bhatta, R. (eds) Climate Change and Livestock Production: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9836-1_16
   31. Adjei, O.D., Aryee, S.N.D., Ahunu, B.K., Sargent, C. and Osei-Amponsah, R. 2020. Signatures of Genomic Selection and Pig Breeding – A Review. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa, 68(2):145-152.
   32. Joy, A., Dunshea, F.R., Leury, B.J., DiGiacomo, K., Clarke, I.J., Zhang, M.H., Abhijith, A., Osei-Amponsah, R. and Chauhan, S.S. 2020. Comparative Assessment of Thermotolerance in Dorper and Second-Cross (Poll Dorset/Merino × Border Leicester) Lambs. Animals 10(12): https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122441
   33. Osei-Amponsah, R., Mbuku, S.M., Leandro, M., Ochieng, J.W., Rege, J.E.O. and Chagunda, M.G.G. 2020. Innovations to harness the potential of African Animal Agriculture in a Globalizing World – Empowering Professional National Animal Production Societies. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa, 68(2):201-207.
   34. Osei-Amponsah, R., Asem, E.K. and Obese, F.Y. 2020. Cattle crossbreeding for sustainable milk production in the tropics. International Journal of Livestock Production, 11(4): 108-113.
   35. Osei-Amponsah, R. and William, E.C. 2020. Breeding Objectives, Trait Preferences and Indigenous Knowledge of Local Cattle Farmers in Selected Districts of the Greater Accra Region of Gh Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa, 68(2):153-164.
   36. Osei-Amponsah, R., Dunshea, F.R., Leury, B.J., Cheng, L., Cullen, B., Joy, A., Abhijith, A., Zhang, M.H. and Chauhan, S.S. 2020. Heat Stress Impacts on Lactating Cows Grazing Australian Summer Pastures on an Automatic Robotic Dairy. Animals 10(5): 869, 12 pages. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10050869
   37. Zhang, M., Dunshea, F.R., Warner, R.D., DiGiacomo, K., Osei-Amponsah, R. and Chauhan, S. S. 2020. Impacts of heat stress on meat quality and strategies for amelioration: a review. International Journal of Biometeorology 64, 1613–1628. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-01929-6
   38. Adoligbe, C., Fernandes, A., Osei-Amponsah, R., Adje, N. D., Gbedevi, R., Fonton, M. C., Rosa, G. J. M., & Souaibou, F. S. 2020. Native chicken farming: A tool for wealth creation and food security in Benin. International Journal of Livestock Production, 11(4), 146-162. https://doi.org/10.5897/IJLP2020.0716

    

    

Professor Mizeck Chagunda

Mizeck Chagunda is a full professor of Tropical Livestock Genetics at the University of Edinburgh and Director of the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) based at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) based in Nairobi and Addis Ababa, and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

He is a former professor and head of the Department for Animal Breeding and Husbandry inbyhe Tropics and Subtropics at the University of Hohenheim, Germany.

Mizeck has lead and managed several research, development, and capacity building projects and initiatives in several countries in Africa including, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, South Africa, Nigeria, Benin Republic, among others. He has also worked in different capscities at Universties in Malawi, Denmark, Scotland, and Germany.