Professor at the Department of Environmental Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Philip Antwi-Agyei has been selected to join the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE-FSN) of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) for the report "Building resilient food systems,” which is expected to be presented at the 53rd Plenary Session of the CFS in October 2025.

The HLPE-FSN, the United Nations body for assessing science related to global food security and nutrition, selected Professor Antwi-Agyei due to his extensive expertise in environmental science, climate change adaptation, and sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to a nuanced understanding of food system vulnerabilities and resilience strategies.

This appointment underscores KNUST's commitment and contribution to the CFS in supporting global governance for food security and nutrition.

“Addressing food insecurity remains a critical challenge for governments across the globe. This is particularly important for countries in sub-Saharan Africa, where millions of people directly depend on climate sensitive sectors for their livelihoods. 

"Being selected as part of this High Level Panel of Experts provides an opportunity for me to offer my expertise in food systems resilience in an era of climate change. I am thrilled at this opportunity and looking forward to working with this great interdisciplinary team of experts on this report.,” Prof. Antwi-Agyei said.

Prof. Philip Antwi-Agyei is a Professor of Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainability Science, and the Director, Office of Grants and Research at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.

Philip is an interdisciplinary climate change scientist whose research involves developing innovative multi-scale methodologies for assessing vulnerability and adaptations to climate change across the local, regional and national scales. Specifically, his research uses spatial databases, ecological studies and field-based participatory approaches aimed at broadening understanding of how climate change and variability affect food security and livelihoods.

Prof. Antwi-Agyei is a recipient of several prestigious international grants including the International Foundation for Science, Climate Impacts Research Capacity and Leadership Enhancement Fellowship funded by the UK's Department for International Development, and Science for Weather Information and Forecasting Techniques (African SWIFT) funded by the Global Challenge Research Fund. He has also won grants under the Climate Research for Development, an initiative of the African Climate Policy Centre in partnership with the United Kingdom's Department for International Development. Additionally, Philip was a Fellow under the Future Leaders–Africa Independent Research and Collaboration Grants funded by the Royal Society, London.

He has also won grants under the Climate Research for Development, an initiative of the African Climate Policy Centre in partnership with the United Kingdom's Department for International Development. Additionally, Philip was a Fellow under the Future Leaders–Africa Independent Research and Collaboration Grants funded by the Royal Society, London.

Selected through a rigorous process emphasizing scientific and technical expertise, alongside regional insights, the team embodies interdisciplinarity.

Their collective experience spans health and nutrition, human rights, gender analysis, Indigenous Peoples' knowledge, environmental sciences, and more, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of agricultural and food system vulnerabilities.

The team is led by Alison Blay-Palmer, UNESCO Chair and Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada, renowned for her research in food systems, biodiversity, and community resilience. Other members include Colin Anderson, Philip Antwi-Agyei, Garima Bhalla, Lidia Cabral, Francisco Javier Espinosa Garcia, Tomaso Ferrando, Isabel Madzorera, Tammara Soma, Monika Zurek, Paola Termine (Secretariat), and Johanna Wilkes (Research Assistant).

Find out more here.