Mahama appoints Prof. Nana Ama Klutse as Acting CEO of EPA

Professor Nana Ama Klutse has been appointed by President John Mahama as the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The appointment was officially announced by the Presidency on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

Prof. Klutse, who currently serves as the Head of the Department of Physics at the University of Ghana, is also the Vice-Chair of the Working Group for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Prof. Klutse expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, describing the role as both an honor and a significant responsibility. She emphasized the urgent environmental challenges facing Ghana, including air quality, climate change, and waste management, and committed to working with stakeholders to find practical solutions for a healthier environment.

“I am deeply grateful to @JDMahama for entrusting me with the role of CEO of the Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana. It is both an honor and a great responsibility to serve our nation at a time when environmental issues are so pressing. From addressing air quality concerns to tackling the impacts of climate change and improving waste management systems, Ghana faces significant challenges. I am committed to working closely with all stakeholders to find practical solutions that ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for our country. Together, we can make a real difference for generations to come.”

About Professor Nana Ama Klutse:

Prof. Klutse is the Vice-Chair of the IPCC’s Working Group I for the seventh assessment cycle and was a Lead Author for the Sixth Assessment Report. She is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department of Physics and a fellow of the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences – Next Einstein Initiative Women in Climate Change Science.

She previously served as a Senior Research Scientist and Manager at the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission. Prof. Klutse holds a PhD in Climatology from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Her research focuses on climate modeling and the impact of climate change on society, including areas like health, energy, and gender.

Prof. Klutse has contributed to both national and international projects, such as the climate and health project in Ghana and the ongoing global CORDEX experiment. She has authored numerous journal articles and academic books.

In May 2018, she published an article in Environmental Research Letters on the potential impact of 1.5°C and 2°C global warming on consecutive dry and wet days over West Africa, which revealed that warming would lead to reduced rainfall and an increase in consecutive dry days, especially along the Guinea Coast.

At the University of Ghana, she teaches courses in General Physics, Cloud Physics, Atmospheric Physics, Climate Dynamics of Africa, and Regional Climate Modeling. She also supervises Master’s and PhD students both in Ghana and internationally.