A Ghanaian PhD student at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark Mr. Isaac Ankamah-Yeboah has won this year’s Best Student Paper Award instituted by the European Association of Fisheries Economist (EAFE) in Salerno, Italy.
Mr. Ankamah-Yeboah, a former student of the University of Ghana and currently pursuing a doctoral programme in Environmental Resource Economics, Fisheries and Aquaculture emerged the best for his profound Research work on Organic Aquaculture.
The paper was selected based on the quality of its methodology, attractive story that has policy significance for current management challenges.
The 2015 conference which also marks the 23rd edition of meetings held by the EAFE in Salerno was hosted by the University of Salerno, on April 28-30 under the theme: ‘New management issues within the reformed common Fishery policy: implementation and socio-economic impacts’
The EAFE which is an independent body of economists operating in the fisheries sector in Europe was established in 1989 with an objective to promote co-operation in the field of Economic Research in Fisheries and Aquaculture among others.
For his reward, Mr Ankamah-Yeboah who also studied in both Sweden and Germany for his second degree took home a certificate and a cash prize which was presented by the outgoing President of the Association, Curtis Hazel.
In interview, the award winner disclosed that his motivation to pursue higher education was heightened when he worked with senior researchers at University of Ghana’s Department of Agric Economics and Agribusiness after his graduation.
“I realized that I needed higher level of education in order to contribute substantially to the field,” he said, adding that it was time for Ghanaians farmers to start exploring the vast potentials in the Aquaculture and Fisheries sector which has good prospects for farmers and the economy.
Mr. Ankamah-Yeboah who is a native of Drobo in the Brong Ahafo region encouraged students to endeavor not to give up their dreams because of setbacks in their education. He stated that with perseverance and hard work, all dreams are achievable.
“I had some very bad results at the BECE level where I nearly gave up. But I realized that with hard work and perseverance everyone can improve,” he said.
The awardee was thankful to all who supported him to attain this height especially barrister Apraku Nketia who inspired his dreams.
