John Kwadwo Gyapong is a Ghanaian public health physician, academic, and administrator. He is widely recognized for his contributions to public health research, particularly in tropical diseases and health systems, and for his leadership in higher education in Ghana.
Born in Ghana, Gyapong pursued his medical education at the University of Ghana Medical School, where he earned his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree. He further specialized in public health, obtaining a Master of Science (MSc) in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and later a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Epidemiology from the University of Basel, Switzerland.
His career has spanned both public service and academia. Gyapong worked for the Ghana Health Service, rising through various roles, including Director of the Research and Development Division. He played a significant role in health policy and disease control programs in Ghana.
In academia, Professor Gyapong held positions at the University of Ghana, including Head of the Department of Community Health and Director of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. He is most prominently known for his tenure as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho, Ghana. He was appointed in 2016 and served a four-year term, during which he oversaw the development and expansion of the university's academic programs, infrastructure, and research initiatives.
Professor Gyapong's research interests include neglected tropical diseases, malaria, tuberculosis, and health systems research. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to several international public health committees and organizations.