Dr. Mark Osa Akrong
He is a Senior Research Scientist and Head of the Environmental Biology Biotechnology and Health Division of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Water Research Institute (CSIR-WRI). He is a microbiologist with twelve years of experience. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2003, MPhil degree in Environmental Science at University of Ghana in 2009 and PhD in Ecology on the diversity of marine algae (Seaweeds), hydrocolloid extraction and bacterial diversity on marine algae under the Project “Sea Biorefinery Research project (SeaBioGha)” at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2023. He also worked as a Research Assistant at the International Water Management Institute. His area of research and development include: environmental and marine microbiology, seaweed ecology, assessment and monitoring of water quality from different water resources: drinking water, boreholes, wastewater, freshwater and marine environment as well as packaged water. He has supervised undergraduate students, trained professionals and supervised many students on internship as well as national service personnel in the microbiology laboratory. He has more than 22 peer- reviewed articles in international journals and 15 conference paper and abstracts.

1. Refereed Journal Papers
2. Akrong, M. O., Anning, A. K., Addico, G. N. D, Hogarh, J. N., Adu-Gyamfi, A., deGraft-Johnson, K. A. A., Ale, M., Ampofo, J. A., Meyer, A. S. (2023). Variations in seaweed-associated and planktonic bacterial communities along the coast of Ghana, Marine Biology Research, 19:4-5, 219-233, DOI: 10.1080/17451000.2023.2213894
3. Ahmed, H., Zolfo, M., Williams, A., Ashubwe-Jalemba, J., Tweya, H., Adeapena, W., Labi, A.-K., Adomako, L.A.B., Addico, G.N.D., Banu, R.A., Akrong, M. O., Quarcoo, G., Borbor S., and Osei-Atweneboana, M. Y.(2022). Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Drinking Water from the Greater Accra Region, Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study, December 2021–March 2022. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 12300. https:// doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912300
4. Quarcoo, G., Boamah Adomako, L.A., Abrahamyan, A., Armoo, S., Sylverken, A.A., Addo, M.G., Alaverdyan, S.; Jessani, N.S.;Harries, A.D.; Ahmed, H.; Banu R. A., Borbor S, Akrong M O., Amonoo N. A., Bekoe, E. M. O. , Osei-Atweneboana M. Y. and Zachariah, R. (2022). What Is in the Salad? Escherichia coli and Antibiotic Resistance in Lettuce Irrigated with Various Water Sources in Ghana. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 12722. https:// doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912722
5. Akrong, M. O., Anning, A. K., Addico, G. N. D., Hogarh, J.N., deGraft-Johnson, K. A. A., Adu-Gyamfi, A., Ale, M., & Meyer, A. S. (2022) Biomass and carrageenan yields of Hypnea musciformis in relation to selected environmental variables in the coastal waters of Ghana. J Appl Phycol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-022-02790-3
6. Akrong, M. O., Anning, A. K., Addico, G. N. D., deGraft-Johnson, K. A. A., Adu-Gyamfi, A., Ale, M., & Meyer, A. S. (2021). Spatio-temporal variations in seaweed diversity and abundance of selected coastal areas in Ghana. Regional Studies in Marine Science, 44, 101719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2021.101719
7. Banu, R.A., Alvarez, J.M., Reid, A.J., Enbiale, W., Labi, A.-K., Ansa, E.D.O., Annan, E.A., Akrong, M.O., Borbor, S., Adomako, L.A.B.; Ahmed, H., Mustapha, M.B., Davtyan, H.; Owiti, P., Hedidor, G.K.; Quarcoo, G.; Opare, D.; Kikimoto, B., & Osei-Atweneboana, M.Y.; Schmitt, H. (2021). Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Escherichia coliin River Waters Collected from Two Cities in Ghana, 2018–2020.  Med. Infect. Dis. 2021, 6, 105. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed6020105
8. Akita LG, Laudien J, Biney C, Akrong M.O. (2021). A baseline study of spatial variability of bacteria (total coliform, E. coli, and Enterococcus spp.) as biomarkers of pollution in ten tropical Atlantic beaches: concern for environmental and public health. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2021 Sep;28(36):50941-50965. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-15432-x. Epub 2021 Aug 12. PMID: 34386920.
9. Akita, L., Laudien, J., Akrong, M., Biney, C., Nyarko, E., & Addo, S. (2020). Physicochemical influence on the spatial distribution of faecal bacteria and polychaetes in the Densu Estuary, Ghana. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 14(6), 139-158.
10. Amu-Mensah. F.K, Amu-Mensah M.A, Akrong M. O, Addico G.N.D & Darko. H (2019). Hydrology of the major water sources of Lake Bosomtwe in Ghana. West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 27(1), 2019: 42 – 51
11. Akrong M. O, Amu-Mensah. F.K, Amu-Mensah M.A., Darko. H, Addico G.N.D., Ampofo, J.A (2019). Seasonal Analysis of Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water Sources in Communities Surrounding Lake Bosomtwe in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Springer, Applied Water Science Journal 9:82 https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-0959-z.
12. Banu R. A, Ansa E. D.O., Akrong M. O., Ansa G. A., Mohammed B., (2018). Microbial Water Quality Assessment of Packaged Drinking Water of Pre-School Children in some parts of Accra. Ghana J. Sci. 59, 31 – 40
13. Addico, G., Amu-Mensah F.K., Akrong, M.O., Amu-Mensah, M.A and Darko, H.  (2018).   Phytoplankton species diversity and biomass and its impact on the sustainable management of Lake Bosomtwe in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. Vol. 12(10), pp. 377-383. DOI: 10.5897/AJEST2017.2458
14. Amu-Mensah, M.A., Amu-Mensah F.K., Akrong, M.O., Darko, H. and Addico, G. (2017). Significance of Lake Bosomtwe as a freshwater resource in Ghana; communities’ perception. International Journal of Development and Sustainability. Vol. 6 No.10 Pp 1305-1318. ISSN:2186-8662-www.isdsnet.com/ijds
15. Sedzro, M.D., Banu, R.A and Akrong, M.O (2017). Evidence based review of Legionella elimination in building water systems. International Journal of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, 9(1), 22-32. Doi:105897/IJWREE2015.0615.
16. Tekpor, M., Akrong, M.O., Asmah, M.H, Banu, R.A and Ansa, E.D.O. (2016). Bacteriological quality of drinking water in the Atebubu-Amantin District of the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana.  Springer link: Appl Water Sci. doi:10.1007/s13201-016-0457-5. Pp 1-6.
17. Ansa, E.D.O., Andoh, A.H., Njenu, P., Banu, R., Akrong, M.O. Achampong, M.A. and Adiyiah, J. (2015). Sunlight Inactivation of Faecal Coliforms in Domestic Wastewater. Desalination and Water Treatment. Doi:10.1080/19443994.2015.1063010.
18. Akrong, M.O., Ampofo, J.A., Banu, R.A. and Danso, S.K.A. (2015). Assessment of Bacteria and Heavy metals contamination in lettuce at Farm Gate and Market in the Accra Metropolis. British Microbiology Research Journal 5 (7)226-234.
19. Silverman, A.I., Akrong, M.O., Drechsel, P. and Nelson, K.L. (2014). On-farm treatment of wastewater used for vegetable irrigation: bacteria and virus removal in small ponds in Accra, Ghana. Journal of Water Reuse and Desalination 4 (4). Pp 276-286.
20. Silverman, A.I., Akrong, M.O., Amoah, P., Drechsel, P. and Nelson, K.L. (2013). Quatification of Human Norovirus GII, Human Adenovirus, and Faecal Indicator Organisms in Wastewater Used for Irrigation in Accra. Journal of Water and Health. 11 (3). Pp 473-488.
21. Duwiejuah, A. B., Cobbina, S.J. and Akrong, M.O. (2013). Effect of Storage on the Quality of Sachet-Vended Water in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. Journal of Environmental Protection, (4) DOI:10.4236/jep/2013.46073. Pp 629-637.
22. Cobbina, S.J., Kotochi, M.C., Korese, J.K. and Akrong, M.O. (2013). Microbial Contamination in Vegetables at the Farm Gate Due to Irrigation with Wastewater in the Tamale Metropolis of Northern Ghana. Journal of Environmental Protection, 676-682.
23. Akrong, M.O., Ampofo, J.A. and Danso, S.K.A. (2012). The Quality and Health Implications of Urban Irrigation Water Used for Vegetable Production in the Accra Metropolis. Journal of Environmental Protection, 2012, 3. 1509-1518.
24. Akrong, M.O., Cobbina, S.J. and Ampofo, J.A. (2012). Assessment of Heavy Metals in Lettuce Grown in Soils Irrigated with Different Water Sources in the Accra Metropolis. Journal of Environmental and Earth Science 4 (5): 576-582.