With over 12 years of transformative leadership in university library management, Dr. Christopher M. Owusu-Ansah steps into the role of University Librarian at the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development. His responsibilities encompass guiding the University Library and Information Services, focusing on providing global knowledge access and exceptional round-the-clock client service, to foster education and research advancements in the University.

CAREER

Dr. Owusu-Ansah embarked on his academic librarianship career in March 2011 as an Assistant Librarian at the Regent University of Science and Technology, Accra. Shortly after, in June 2011, he joined the University of Education, Winneba, as a Junior Assistant Librarian. August 2011 saw him transfer to the College of Technology Education, Kumasi where he headed the Collections Management Unit. He supported the then College Librarian to significantly revamp the collections, enhancing their visibility and usage. His expertise led to his appointment as Coordinator of the Unit in 2014. In March 2018, he became the College Librarian at the College of Agriculture Education, Mampong, Ashanti, where he achieved notable advancements, including relocating the library, acquiring new furniture, establishing an Electronic Resources Unit, modernizing the collection, and doubling the library staff.

His career as an academic librarian at UEW/AAMUSTED started as a Junior Assistant Librarian (2011) and progressed through the ranks of Assistant Librarian (2013), Senior Assistant Librarian (2016), and finally to Deputy Librarian (2021). In October 2022, he was appointed as the Acting University Librarian where he served until his eventual appointment as the substantive University Librarian in October 2023.  

EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC INTERESTS

Dr. Owusu-Ansah was educated in Ghana and South Africa. He has the following qualifications:

• • Doctor of Literature and Philosophy, Information Science, University of South Africa
  • Master of Arts in Information Studies, University of Ghana
  • Bachelor of Arts in Information Studies with Study of Religions, University of Ghana
  • Diploma in Education, University of Education, Winneba
  • Professional Development Certificate for the Next Generation Library and Information Professional, University of Pretoria, South Africa

His research/teaching interests involve digital library systems and management; distance learning, electronic information retrieval; metadata; collection development and management; and information literacy. He is an accomplished writer/researcher with over 40 publications including scholarly articles, book chapters, a book, and conference papers in accredited journals and indexes. His ongoing research focuses on implementing digital library services in academic contexts, remote library services, information-seeking behaviour, and open science/access publishing. Dr Owusu-Ansah is also a Research Fellow (adjunct) at the Department of Information Science, University of South Africa.

PERSONAL LIFE

A native of Wiamoase in the Sekyere South District of the Ashanti Region, Dr Owusu-Ansah had his early nurturing in Tema in the Greater Accra Region. He is a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian. He is married with three children.