Principal Research Scientist
Environmental Chemistry and Sanitation Engineering Division
DEGREE
BSc. (Hons) degree in Chemistry
 MSc. in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
Doctor of Science (DSc.) degree in Environmental Chemistry
Dr. Kwadwo Ansong Asante is presently a Principal Research Scientist at the CSIR Water Research Institute (CSIR-WRI), Ghana and the Head of the Environmental Chemistry and Sanitation Engineering Division of the Institute. He is also a Visiting Researcher at the Lancaster University, UK. He rendered his National Service with the Institute of Aquatic Biology of the CSIR, now WRI in 1993 after graduating from the University of Science and Technology with a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Chemistry in the same year, and was offered employment by WRI in October, 1994 as an Assistant Research Scientist.
Dr. Asante obtained his M.Sc. in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology from Ehime University, Japan in September 2005 and followed up with a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree in Environmental Chemistry also from Ehime University, Japan in March, 2012. He has received several scholarships from the Commonwealth Fellowship, JICA, DANIDA, Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft (CDG, Germany). Dr. Asante also holds several certificates including Management (Cologne, Germany), Integrated Environment and Water Management (DHI, Denmark), Board Evaluation (State Interests and Governance Authority), Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA, Ghana), and Protection and Utilization of Oceans (University of Hamburg, Germany).
He has assessed the quality of various inland and coastal waters in support of the Institute’s mandate of initiating and conducting research into fresh and coastal water resources of Ghana to provide information for their sustainable management. He has also assessed the effects of aquatic vegetation cover on fish stocks. In addition, Dr. Asante has researched into emerging contaminants (BRFs, Dioxins, PCBs, etc.) and heavy metals from open burning of e-waste via human breast milk, fish, cow milk, soil and urine. Furthermore, he has assessed the impact of e-waste activities on food items sold around e-waste sites for human consumption. He supervises post-graduate students at both the Masters and PhD levels from some Ghanaian Universities, aside being an External Examiner for these universities and the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Dr. Asante has to his credit about 80 publications from journals and conference papers only, published in reputable peer-reviewed journals including Environmental Health Perspectives, Environmental Science and Technology, Environment International, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Chemosphere, Science of the Total Environment, Organohalogen Compounds, etc. and is a reviewer for some journals published by Elsevier. Dr. Asante is also an Advisory Board Member of the Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment Journal by Elsevier.
He is widely exposed having attended many International Conferences and was adjudged the best presenter with a cash award of $675, during the 9th International Society for Trace Element Research in Humans (ISTERH) Conference held in Antalya, Turkey in October, 2011. He has obtained some research grants from the Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS-SPONGE), Global Center of Excellence (Ehime University, Japan) and the World Health Organization (WHO). He serves on some National Technical Committees, including the Hazardous Chemical Committee (EPA), UNIDO’s Health and Pollution Action Plan Technical Working Group in Ghana and was a member of a ministerial committee tasked to evaluate a technology for the treatment of mine wastewater in Ghana. Dr. Asante is also consulted by the WHO and was the National Laboratory Analyst for a UNEP/WHO-funded project in 2017. Dr. Asante was the Institute’s coordinator for the GCRF-funded RECIRCULATE Project by the Lancaster University, UK. He was a scholarship recipient from Accra Brewery Limited spanning 1981-1986 during his secondary school education.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS: JOURNALS / CONFERENCE PAPERS
1. Nimako, C., Ikenaka, Y., Akoto, O., Bortey-Sam, N., Ichise, T., Nakayama, S., Asante, K. A., Fujioka, K., Taira, K. and Ishizuka, M. (2021)- Human exposures to Neonicotinoids in Kumasi, Ghana. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 00:1-13 pp.
2. Lebbie, T., Moyebi, O., Asante, K. A., Fobil, J. N., Brune-Drisse, M. N., Suk, W. A., Sly, P. D. and Carpenter, D. O. (2021)- E-waste in Africa: A serious threat to the health of children. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 8488.
3. Qingyuan Dai, Xijin Xu, Brenda Eskenazi, K. A. Asante, Aimin Chen, Julius N. Fobil, Ake Bergman, Lesley Brennan, Peter D. Sly, Innocent Chidi Nnorom, Antonio Pascale, Qihua Wang, Eddy Y. Zeng, Zhijun Zeng, Philip J. Landrigan, Marie-Noel Bruné Drisse and Xia Huo (2020). Severe dioxin-like compound (DLC) contamination in e-waste recycling areas: An under-recognized threat to local health. Environment International, 139, 105731.
4. Asante, K. A., Amoyaw-Osei, Y. and Agusa, T. (2019). E-waste recycling in Africa: risks and opportunities. Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 18, 109-117 pp.
5. Tue, N. M., Matsushita, T., Goto, A., Itai, T., Asante, K. A., Obiri, S., Mohammed, S., Tanabe, S. and Kunisue, T. (2019). Complex mixtures of brominated/chlorinated diphenyl ethers and dibenzofurans in soils from the Agbogbloshie e-waste site (Ghana): Occurrence, formation and exposure implications. Environmental Science and Technology, 53, 3010-3017 pp.
6. Heacock, M., Trottier, B., Adhikary, S., Asante, K. A., Basu, N., Brune, M-N., Caravanos, J., Carpenter, D., Cazabon, D., Chakraborty, P., Chen, A., Barriga, F.D., Ericson, B., Fobil, J., Haryanto, B., Huo, X., Joshi, T.K., Landrigan, P., Lopez, A., Magalini, F., Navasumrit, P., Pascale, A., Sambandam, S., Aslia Kamil, U.S., Sly, L., Sly, P., Suk, A., Suraweera, I., Tamin, R., Vicario, E., Suk, W. (2018). Prevention-intervention strategies to reduce exposure to e-waste. Review of Environmental Health, 33(2), 219-228 pp.
7. Bortey-Sam, N., Ikenaka, Y., Akoto, O., Nakayama, S. M. M., Asante, K. A., Baidoo, E., Obirikorang, C., Mizukawa, H. and Ishizuka, M. (2018)- Association between human exposure to heavy metals/metalloid and occurrences of respiratory diseases, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in Kumasi, Ghana. Environmental Pollution, 235, 163-170 pp.
8. Damman, S., Helness, H., Amisigo, B., Asare, R., Banu, R. A., Asante, K. A., Bjorkvoll, T., Azrague, K., Akuffobea, M., Logah, F., Williams, P. A., Amu-Mensah, F., Fuseini, M. and Essegbey, G. (2017)- Sustainability and the social construction of technology: The case of RWH as source of water supply in Greater Accra. European Journal of Sustainable Development, 6 (4), 41-52 pp.
9. Bortey-Sam, N., Ikenaka, Y., Akoto, O., Nakayama, S. M. M., Asante, K. A., Baidoo, E., Obirikorang, C., Saengtienchai, A., Isoda, N., Nimako, C., Mizukawa, H. and Ishizuka, M. (2017)- Oxidative stress and respiratory symptoms due to human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Kumasi, Ghana. Environmental Pollution, 228, 311-320 pp.
10. Nishimura, C., Horii, Y., Tanaka, S., Asante, K. A., Ballesteros Jr., F., Viet, P. H., Itai, T., Takigami, H., Tanabe, S. and Fujimori, T. (2017)- Occurrence, profiles, and toxic equivalents of chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in e-waste open burning soils. Environmental Pollution, 225, 252-260 pp. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.10.088.
11. Tue, N. M., Goto, A., Takahashi, S., Itai, T., Asante, K. A., Nomiyama, K., Tanabe, S. and Kunisue, T. (2017)- Soil contamination by halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from open burning of e-waste in Agbogbloshie (Accra, Ghana). Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 19, 1324-1332 pp. DOI 10.1007/s10163-016-0568-y.
12. Asante, K. A., Pwamang, J. A., Amoyaw-Osei, Y. and Ampofo, J. A. (2016)- E-waste interventions in Ghana. Reviews on Environmental Health, 31 (1), 145-148 pp.
13. Heacock, M., Kelly, C. B., Asante, K. A., Birnbaum, L. S., Bergman, A. L., Brune, M-N., Buka, I., Carpenter, D. O., Chen, A., Huo, X., Kamel, M., Landrigan, P. J., Magalini, F., Diaz-Barriga, F., Neira, M., Omar, M., Pascale, A., Ruchirawat, M., Sly, L., Sly, P. D., van den Berg, M. and Suk, W. A. (2016)- E-waste and harm to vulnerable populations: A growing global problem. Environmental Health Perspectives, 124 (5), 550-555 pp.
14. Suk, W. A., Ahanchian, H., Asante, K. A., Carpenter, D. O., Diaz-Barriga, F., Ha, E-H., Huo, X., King, M., Ruchirawat, M., da Silva, E. R., Sly, L., Sly, P. D., Stein, R. T., van den Berg, M., Zar, H. and Landrigan, P. J. (2016). Environmental Pollution: An under-recognized threat to children’s health, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Environmental Health Perspectives, 124, (3), A41-A45 pp.
15. Tue, N. M., Goto, A., Takahashi, S. Itai, T., Asante, K. A., Kunisue, T. and Tanabe, S. (2016)- Release of chlorinated, brominated and mixed halogenated dioxin-related compounds to soils from open burning of e-waste in Agbogbloshie (Accra, Ghana). Journal of Hazardous Materials, 302, 151-157 pp.
16. Fujimori, T., Itai, T., Tue, N. M., Goto, A., Asante, K. A., Otsuka, M., Takahashi, S. and Tanabe, S. (2016)- Interplay of metals and bromine with dioxin-related compounds concentrated in e-waste open burning soil from Agbogbloshie in Accra, Ghana. Environmental Pollution, 209, 155-163 pp.
17. Landrigan, P. J., Sly, J. L., Ruchirawat, M., Silva, E. R., Huo, X., Diaz-Barriga, F., Zar, H. J., King, M., Ha, E-H., Asante, K. A., Ahanchian, H. and Sly, P. D. (2016)- Health Consequences of Environmental Exposures: Changing global patterns of exposure and disease. Annals of Global Health, 82 (1), 10-19 pp.
18. Itai, T., Otsuka, M., Asante, K. A., Muto, M., Opoku-Ankomah, Y., Ansa-Asare, O. D. and Tanabe, S. (2014)- Variation and distribution of metals and metalloids in soil/ash mixtures from Agbogbloshie e-waste recycling site in Accra, Ghana. Science of the Total Environment, 470-471, 707-716 pp.
19. Gioia, R., Akindele, A. J., Adebusoye, S. A., Asante, K. A., Tanabe, S., Buekens, A. and Sasco, A. (2014)- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Africa: a review of environmental levels. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21, 6278-6289 pp.
20. Asante, K. A., Takahashi, S., Itai, T., Isobe, T., Devanathan, G., Muto, M., Agyakwah, S. K., Adu-Kumi, S., Subramanian, A. and Tanabe, S. (2013)- Occurrence of halogenated contaminants in inland and coastal fish from Ghana: Levels, dietary exposure assessment and human health implications. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 94, 123-130 pp.
21. Asante, K. A., Agusa, T., Biney, C. A., Agyekum, W. A., Bello, M., Otsuka, M., Itai, T., Takahashi, S. and Tanabe, S. (2012)- Multi-trace element levels and arsenic speciation in urine of e-waste recycling workers from Agbogbloshie, Accra in Ghana. Science of the Total Environment, 424, 63-73 pp.
22. Asante, K. A., Adu-Kumi, S., Nakahiro, K., Takahashi, S., Isobe, T., Sudaryanto, A., Devanathan, G., Clarke, E., Ansa-Asare, O.D., Dapaah-Siakwan, S. and Tanabe, S. (2011)- Human exposure to PCBs, PBDEs and HBCDs in Ghana: temporal variation, sources of exposure and estimation of daily intakes by infants. Environment International, 37, 921-928 pp.
23. Asante, K. A., Agusa, T., Kubota, R., Mochizuki, H., Ramu, K., Nishida, S., Ohta, S., Yeh, H-M., Subramanian, A. and Tanabe, S. (2010)- Trace elements and stable isotope ratios (?13C and ?15N) in fish from deep-waters of the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 60, 1560-1570 pp.
24. Ansa-Asare, O. D., Darko, H. F. and Asante, K. A. (2009)- Groundwater quality assessment of Akatsi, Adidome and Ho districts in the Volta Region of Ghana. Desalination, 248, 446-452 pp. Published by Elsevier.
25. Asante, K. A., Agusa, T., Mochizuki, H., Ramu, K., Inoue, S., Kubodera, T., Subramanian, A. and Tanabe, S. (2008)- Trace elements and stable isotopes (?13C and ?15N) in shallow and deep-water organisms from the East China Sea. Environmental Pollution, 156, 862-873 pp.
SELECTED CONFERENCE PAPERS
1. K. A. Asante, Mark Osa Akrong, Anthony Yaw Karikari, Richard Bayitse, Bennett Akuffo, Patience Agbedor, Samuel Kanati, Francis Boateng Agyenim, Reuben Larbi, Manoj Roy and Roger Pickup (2022)- Drinking Water Quality from Two Urban Slums in Accra, Ghana: The Concept of the Last 100 Metres. Proceedings of an International Symposium on “Connecting the Unconnected” held at the Lancaster University, UK from 28th to 29th March. Oral Presentation.
2. Mark Osa Akrong, K. A. Asante, Anthony Yaw Karikari, Richard Bayitse, Benneth Akuffo, Patience Agbedor, Samuel Kanati, Francis Boateng Agyenim, Reuben Larbi, Manoj Roy and Roger Pickup (2022)- The impact of a sanitary intervention on the quality of drain water in two urban slums in Accra, Ghana. Proceedings of an International Symposium on “Connecting the Unconnected” held at the Lancaster University, UK from 28th to 29th March. Oral Presentation.
3. Kwadwo A. Asante, Mark O. Akrong, Theophilus N. Bruce, William E. Arko, William A. Agyekum and Samuel Kanati (2019)- Co-designing of a water project- The case of Sanso Community in Obuasi, Ghana. Proceedings of the Eco-Innovation Conference held at Lancaster University, UK, from 16th to 20th September, 2019. Poster Presentation.
4. Mark O. Akrong, Kwadwo A. Asante, Dan K. Amoah and Selorm Borbor (2019)- An assessment of the quality of drinking water sources at Buem Old Baika, in the Volta Region, Ghana. Proceedings of the Eco-Innovation Conference held at Lancaster University, UK, from 16th to 20th September, 2019. Poster Presentation.
5. Anthony Y. Karikari, Mark O. Akrong, Kwadwo A. Asante, Richard Bayitse, F. Boateng Agyenim, Manoj Roy and Roger Pickup (2019)- Baseline assessment of drinking water quality from four slum settlements in Accra, Ghana. Proceedings of the Eco-Innovation Conference held at Lancaster University, UK, from 16th to 20th September, 2019. Poster Presentation.
6. Asante, K. A. and Amoyaw-Osei, Y. (2018)- Electronic waste recycling in Ghana and interventions to reduce its impact on human health and environment. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Chemistry- Pan Africa Chemistry Network Conference held at the University of Nairobi, Kenya from 6th to 8th November, 2018. Page 15. Oral Presentation.
7. Adu-Kumi, S., Asante, K. A., Hogarh, J. N. and Weber, R. (2016)- Situation analysis of the sound management of POPs in Ghana in the framework of the Stockholm Convention. Organohalogen Compounds, Vol. 78, 303-306 pp.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
1. Asante, K. A. and Biney, C. A. (2007)- “Water for Life”. Article to mark UN’s declaration of 2005-2015 as the International Decade for Action on Water. Daily Graphic Newspaper, 23rd April.
2. Asante, K. A. (2002)- Protecting our water environment. Article, Ghanaian Times Newspaper, 28th June.
3. Asante, K. A. (2002)- Meeting the challenges in water supply and sanitation. A paradigm shift in water supply and sanitation. Article to mark Year 2002 World Water Day. Ghanaian Times Newspaper, 20th March.
4. Asante, K. A. (2000)- Rainwater Harvesting. Daily Graphic Newspaper, 11th May.
5. Asante, K. A. (1998)- Protecting the oceans for maximum utilization. Article to mark UN’s declaration of 1998 as the International Year of the Ocean. Daily Graphic Newspaper, 10th March.
6. Asante, K. A. (1998)- The world’s oceans, who owns them? Ghanaian Times, Newspaper, Saturday, October 31