Joseph Gakpo

Bio

Joseph Opoku Gakpo is a graduate student pursuing a doctorate in agricultural and extension education. Under the supervision of Assistant Professor Katherine McKee and Professor John M. Dole, his doctoral dissertation investigates factors that influence the academic success of undergraduate agricultural and life sciences students. He is also pursuing a graduate minor in Genetic Engineering and Society, with research focus on how communication influences the deployment of agricultural technologies. He previously served as the instructor of record teaching Communication Methods and Media in Agriculture and Life Sciences and is currently a Graduate Research Assistant in the department. He is also a 2016 Global Leadership Fellow of Cornell University’s Alliance for Science Program, and a 2020 AgBioFEWS Fellow of the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center, NC State University.

Joseph is an award-winning Ghanaian journalist with more than 15 years of experience covering science, environment, agriculture, parliamentary affairs, and rural development issues in Africa. He works with Ghana’s largest private media house, the Multimedia Group Limited, where he produces documentaries and other content for radio, television, and online platforms. He additionally works as an Africa-based communications consultant who develops and implements communication plans for international development organizations and private sector firms.

Contributing Websites

• https://josephopokugakpo.wordpress.com/

Professional Honors/Offices/Recognitions

• 2020: International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ)/ ALLTECH International Award for Leadership in Agricultural Journalism https://www.ifaj.org/article/ifaj-alltech-international-award-for-leadership-in-agricultural-journalism-selects-winner/
• 2018: International Federation of Agricultural Journalists’ (IFAJ’s) Star Prize Award for world’s best broadcast video https://www.ifaj.org/article/ifaj-star-prize-winner-for-audio-visual/
• 2018: MTN Ghana Heroes of Change Special Award Category Winner https://www.modernghana.com/news/855214/mtn-heroes-of-change-honours-two-multimedia-journalists.html
• 2018: ALLTECH/IFAJ Young Leader in Journalism Award by International Federation of Agricultural Journalists https://www.ifaj.org/participants-selected-10th-young-leaders-award-2/36656/
• 2018: Best Journalist in Agriculture Reporting (Electronic) by Ghana Journalists Association https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/graphic-tops-with-15-gja-2017-awards.html
• 2017: OFAB Africa Media Awards first runner up in radio category organised by African Agricultural Technology Foundation in Uganda https://www.modernghana.com/news/806000/multimedias-opoku-gakpo-wins-international-award.html
• 2017: OFAB Ghana Media Awards – Best Radio Reporter https://www.gardjagh.org/opened-forum-on-agricultural-biotechnology-journalism-awards-launched/
• 2016: Global Leadership Fellow by Cornell University’s Alliance for Science Program https://allianceforscience.org/fellows/joseph-opoku-gakpo/
• 2016: Best Journalist in Sustainable Development Goals Reporting by Ghana Journalists Association https://dailyguidenetwork.com/anas-wins-2015-gja-journalist-of-the-year-award/
• 2015: Best Journalist in Poverty Alleviation Reporting by Ghana Journalists Association https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/local/social/201508/251239.php

Selected Publications

• Gakpo, J. O, Hardwick, A., Ahmad, J., Choi, J., Matus, S.C., Mugisa, J.D., Ethridge, S., Utley, D. and Zarate, S. (2024). The need for communication between researchers and policymakers for the deployment of bioengineered carbon capture and sequestration crops. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8(2024). https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1329123
• Gakpo, J. O. and Abugu, M. (2023). Detection and Traceability of GMO Cowpea in West Africa: A Stakeholders’ Perspective. Poster presentation, International Conference on GMO Analysis and New Genomic Techniques, Berlin – Germany. https://research.ncsu.edu/ges/2023/04/blog-the-challenges-of-gmo-detection-and-traceability-in-a-globalized-food-system/
• Gakpo, J. O. (2023). An Overview of Africa’s GMO Landscape: Which Country is Growing What? Oral Presentation, International Symposium on Agricultural Transformation and Biotech Crops, University of Ghana, Accra – Ghana. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMGKvvHxp0c&t=1130s
• Gakpo, J. O. (2019). The difference building a global network can make in effective science communication. Oral presentation, 2019 Entomology Society of America Meeting (Entomology 2019), St. Louis, Missouri, USA. https://esa.confex.com/esa/2019/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/143676
• Gakpo, J. O.  (2015). Dissemination of Information on Genetically Modified Crop Technology to Farmers: A Case Study of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology’s Educational Campaign in the Ga South Municipality. Africa’s Online Library. https://afribary.com/works/dissemination-of-information-on-genetically-modified-crop-technology-to-farmers-a-case-study-of-the-open-forum-on-agricultural-biotechnology-s-educational-campaign-in-the-ga-south-municipalit#overview

Area(s) of Expertise

• Agricultural Extension
• Agricultural Education
• Science Communication
• Biotechnology
• International Development