The African Research Academies for Women

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The African Research Academies for Women

ARA-W seeks, for the first time, to enable African university women pursuing the sciences, to be introduced to the world of research.

Africa’s capacity to compete on the global scene depends on her ability to adopt innovative technologies as well as high research output in the form of drugs development, etc. This will require practical solutions that will leverage the playing field for the future generation of scientists, both men and women. In line with this, Students for A Healthy Africa (SAHA) conducted a 2-month survey and c

oncluded that the root reason behind the lack of women in science was simply because a huge proportion (about 90%) of them never had the opportunity to engage with research during their college years. In response, we have developed the African Research Academy for Women (ARA-W), a premier research program that will enable at least 5 exceptional African university undergraduate women in the sciences to spend 2 months of the long-term summer vacation at University of Ghana's Noguchi Medical Research Institute (NMRI).

06/19/2026

Dr Isaac Antwi, a Chemistry Research Scientist and Yale University alumna, fills the role of Director of Mentorship at ARA-W.

He is responsible for developing, overseeing, and expanding the organization's mentorship programs by strategizing and implementing initiatives that connect our fellows with mentors to support their academic, professional, and personal development.

Dr. Antwi also works as a Senior Scientist at Northern RNA, a Canadian biotechnology company that produces critical raw materials for life-saving medicines.

At ARA-W, we believe that you can't become what you can't see. That's why we surround our scholars with exceptional leaders, accomplished researchers, and dedicated mentors who inspire them to dream bigger, aim higher, and achieve more in STEM.

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06/17/2026

Our Director of Programs, Akua Serwaa-Sarfo, MPH, is a public health researcher and mental health advocate.

Akua brings over a decade of experience helping individuals and communities thrive. Her passion for holistic health, education, and empowerment helps shape the programs that make ARA-W's mission possible.

Smart? Absolutely.
Beautiful? Without a doubt.
Committed to creating opportunities for women in STEM? Every single day. 💙

We're privileged to have her on the ARA-W team!

Visit https://www.ara-w.org/ to learn more about the people driving our impact.

06/16/2026

🚨 JUST 5 DAYS TO GO!

Future scientist, researcher, or innovator?

Your chance to join the Fully Funded 2026 ARA-W Undergraduate Research Fellowship closes soon.

Don't let this opportunity pass you by.

Apply today and gain hands-on research experience, mentorship from global STEM leaders, and the opportunity to join a network of exceptional young women shaping the future of science.

VISIT https://www.ara-w.org/

06/15/2026

Here's what we call a full-circle moment, from ARA-W Fellow to Vice President-Elect

Meet Olivia Vashti Ayim, a climate scientist, researcher, changemaker, and one of ARA-W's very own success stories.

Olivia joined the ARA-W Undergraduate Fellowship as a fellow in 2017, and her journey has been very extraordinary.

Today, she is pursuing her PhD at the University of Oxford, where she is advancing research in atmospheric physics and climate science while representing the brilliance of African women in STEM on the global stage.

Now serving as ARA-W's Vice President-Elect, Olivia is giving back to the very community that helped shape her journey, bringing her passion for research and mentorship.

Her story is proof that when talent meets opportunity, incredible things happen.

Fellow. Scholar. Researcher. Leader!!

And she's just getting started. 🔥🔥🔥

University of Oxford Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

06/12/2026

Meet Our Vice President, Dr. Adaobi Okocha, MD, MPH!

Physician. Public health advocate. Mentor. Leader. And yes... a fantastic dancer too.

Dr. Okocha brings together clinical expertise and public health insight to help shape ARA-W's programs and curriculum, ensuring our scholars receive a well-rounded and impactful learning experience.

Passionate about improving health outcomes and empowering future leaders, she is committed to helping young women thrive in STEM and beyond.

Brains? Absolutely. Heart? Even bigger. ❤️

Connect with her on her socials and prepare to be inspired.

Visit https://www.ara-w.org/

06/11/2026

And for our president, we have a phenomenal woman leading ARA-W.

Scientist, TEDx speaker, award-winning researcher, mentor, advocate, and champion for women in STEM, we could go on and on,

As President of ARA-W, Dr. Joseph Valery Joseph provides strategic initiatives and partnerships, drawing on deep experience in research management and organizational leadership.

Excellence, leadership, and impact all in one person. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

University of Pennsylvania

06/09/2026

We proudly spotlight Shadrack Osei Frimpong, PhD, Co-Founder and Former President of Africa Research Academies for Women (ARA-W).

Driven by a passion for education and creating equal opportunity for girls in Africa, Dr. Frimpong played a key role in establishing ARA-W, along with Kwadwo A. Sarpong, MD, to empower young women across Africa through research training, academic development, and access to STEM opportunities.

Today, Dr. Frimpong serves as the Founder and Chief Science Officer of Cocoa360, a nonprofit transforming access to healthcare and education in rural Ghana. He is also pursuing his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at Yale School of Medicine. Yale School of Medicine

His achievements include being recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, a Gates Cambridge Scholar, a Queen's Young Leader Award recipient, a Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award recipient, and a 2025–2026 Obama Foundation Africa Leader.

Thank you, Dr. Frimpong, for helping build the foundation of ARA-W that continues to inspire and support future scientists, innovators, and changemakers.

06/08/2026

Meet the Team Behind ARA-W

This week, we're taking you behind the scenes at Africa Research Academies for Women (ARA-W) to introduce the people driving our mission and impact.

Today, we spotlight Dr. Kwadwo A. Sarpong, Co-Founder and CEO of ARA-W.

A neurosurgeon, physician scientist, researcher, mentor, and STEM advocate, Dr. Sarpong co-founded ARA-W to create opportunities for young women through mentorship, research training, and academic development.

Today, his vision continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, innovators, and leaders.

Visit www.ara-w.org to learn more about our mission and impact and to connect with Kwadwo Sarpong, MD, on all his socials.

06/04/2026

Countdown is on!!

Applications for the Fully Funded Undergraduate Research Fellowship are ongoing.

All **female students** majoring in a STEM field and attending a university in Ghana are eligible to apply.

This is a fantastic opportunity to refine research skills in your field of study while learning from experienced mentors.

If you know a girl pursuing a career in STEM, tag her in the comments and help spread the word.

The Legonites: University of Ghana - the Pinnacle of Knowledge
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) University Of Cape Coast (UCC)

HO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY University of Cape Coast University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa

06/02/2026

Prisca Brobbey focused on the Dantu variant and its association with malaria susceptibility, finding that the Fulani ethnic group had the highest allele frequency of DAN2.

Prisca concluded that more research is needed to validate the detection of Dantu in Ghanaian populations and suggested future studies could help inform malaria prevention and treatment strategies.

Prisca, you did such splendid work, and we're so proud of you. ✨🌟🌟🌟 🌟

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

Address

7441 Blue Gable Road
Nashville, TN
37076

Telephone

+1 678-907-2155

Website

http://www.ara-w.org/

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