Learn about Prof. Issahaku Adam, UCC tourism scholar, his education, academic career, research, international recognition, leadership and 2026 inaugural lecture.
By Ferdinand Ellis | EducateGhana.com
Prof. Issahaku Adam is a Ghanaian tourism scholar and academic at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) whose career has taken him from a primary school in Ejura to the rank of professor at the age of 37.
He is a Professor of Tourism Management and currently serves as Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Cape Coast. His academic work spans tourism development, hospitality, natural resource conflicts, peacebuilding, sustainability and international academic collaboration.
On Thursday, August 20, 2026, Prof. Adam delivered his inaugural lecture at UCC under the topic, “The Autopilot Dilemma: Conscious and Coordinated or Piecemeal and Opportunistic Approach in Ghana’s Tourism Development Journey.”
Early Life and Educational Background
Prof. Issahaku Adam was born on 24 June 1985 and was raised in Ejura in Ghana’s Ashanti Region. He is a native of Gunsi in the Mion District of the Northern Region.
His formal education began at Somdania L/A Primary School in Ejura in 1997. He later attended Brigade Junior High School, completing his basic education in 2000.
He proceeded to Atebubu Secondary School, where he completed his secondary education and obtained his SSCE certificate in 2003.
In 2004, he gained admission to the University of Cape Coast to study Tourism. He graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Tourism.
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Beginning of His Academic Career
After completing his undergraduate degree, Prof. Adam remained at UCC as a Teaching Assistant in the then Department of Geography and Tourism during his national service from August 2008 to July 2009.
He subsequently pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Cape Coast and obtained an MPhil in Tourism Management in 2011.
In November 2011, he was appointed Senior Research Assistant in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
His academic progression continued with his appointment as an Assistant Lecturer in 2013.
He completed his PhD in Tourism Management in March 2015, after which he was upgraded to the rank of Lecturer.
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Becoming One of UCC’s Youngest Professors
Prof. Adam was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor in August 2020.
Three years later, in February 2023, he attained the rank of Professor at the age of 37.
His rapid progression through the academic ranks has made him one of the youngest professors in the history of the University of Cape Coast.
His career illustrates the progression from research assistantship and lecturing to senior academic leadership, research supervision and institutional service.
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Research and International Recognition
Prof. Adam has published extensively in international tourism journals.
His publications include work in Tourism Management, a leading journal in tourism research. Some of his publications have appeared in journals listed in the Academic Journal Guide of the Chartered Association of Business Schools.
His research profile has also received international recognition. He was listed among the world’s top 2% of scientists in the Stanford-Elsevier global ranking for three consecutive years, 2023, 2024 and 2025, according to the profile information provided for his academic career.
His research interests extend beyond conventional tourism studies to issues involving sustainable tourism, natural resources, development and conflict.
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Leadership at the University of Cape Coast
At UCC, Prof. Adam has served as Head of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
During his tenure as Head of Department, he led the re-accreditation of all eight programmes in the department, covering programmes from bachelor’s degree through PhD level.
He also led the introduction and accreditation of the Master of Science in Tourism Management and Master of Science in Hospitality Management programmes.
These responsibilities placed him at the intersection of academic leadership, programme development, accreditation and quality assurance in higher education.
He currently serves as Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Cape Coast.
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Graduate Supervision and Curriculum Development
Prof. Adam has supervised 21 MPhil students and 11 PhD students to completion, including doctoral students at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.
His academic contribution also extends to curriculum development.
He has contributed to curriculum development at the University of Cape Coast and at institutions outside Ghana, including Sultan Qaboos University in Oman and Dalhousie University in Canada.
His involvement in curriculum development reflects the international dimension of his academic work and his engagement with tourism and hospitality education beyond Ghana.
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International Academic Collaboration
Prof. Adam has facilitated extensive international academic exchanges.
According to the information provided, he secured and facilitated 21 faculty exchanges and 68 international student exchanges involving universities in Europe and the Sustainable Tourism Global Centre in Saudi Arabia.
His international collaboration also included facilitating the participation of 36 students and four faculty members in the 2023 Middle East and North Africa Region Climate Week and Youth Summit in Saudi Arabia.
Such exchanges provide opportunities for students and academics to gain international exposure while strengthening institutional partnerships.
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Research on Tourism, Natural Resources and Peacebuilding
One of Prof. Adam’s notable research projects focuses on the relationship between tourism, natural resources and conflict.
He led a project funded through the African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics of the Social Science Research Council titled:
“Towards Durable Peace: Tourism-Induced Natural Resource Conflict in the Kakum National Park Area of Ghana.”
The research brings together tourism development, natural resource management and peacebuilding.
It reflects an approach to tourism research that examines not only the economic potential of tourism but also the social and environmental consequences that can emerge around tourism destinations and natural resources.
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Roles Beyond the University of Cape Coast
Prof. Adam’s professional service extends beyond UCC.
Between 2016 and 2021, he served as a Council Member of the Tamale College of Education. During that period, he served on the Council’s Audit Committee and Appointments and Promotions Board.
He was also a member of the Central Regional Tourism Development Committee from 2021 to 2024.
Between 2020 and 2022, he served on the Strategic Planning Committee of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana.
These appointments have given him experience in higher education governance, tourism planning, institutional administration and professional-sector engagement.
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International and Professional Affiliations
Prof. Adam is a Senior Research Associate at the School of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
He is also a National Geographic Explorer, reflecting his engagement with research and exploration beyond the traditional university environment.
In addition, he is a founding member and Africa Director of the Gender, Entrepreneurship and Social Policy Institute at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.
These roles further connect his work in Ghana with international research and academic networks.
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Prof. Adam’s Inaugural Lecture
Prof. Issahaku Adam delivered his inaugural lecture on Thursday, 20 August 2026, at the University of Cape Coast.
The lecture was titled:
“The Autopilot Dilemma: Conscious and Coordinated or Piecemeal and Opportunistic Approach in Ghana’s Tourism Development Journey.”
The topic addresses questions surrounding the direction and coordination of Ghana’s tourism development.
An inaugural lecture is a significant occasion in the career of a professor. It provides an opportunity for an academic to present aspects of their scholarship, professional experience and intellectual position to the university community and the wider public.
Prof. Adam’s lecture therefore represents another significant milestone in a career that began with his education in Ejura and has developed into an international academic career in tourism management.
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Family and Personal Life
Prof. Issahaku Adam is married to Hajia Rafia Bukari.
The couple have two children, Aadilah Maltiti Adam and Amal Anamzoya Adam.
His professional life has combined university teaching, research, academic administration, graduate supervision, curriculum development, international collaboration and public service.
Prof. Issahaku Adam at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Prof. Issahaku Adam |
| Date of birth | 24 June 1985 |
| Hometown | Gunsi, Mion District, Northern Region |
| Raised in | Ejura, Ashanti Region |
| First degree | BSc Tourism, UCC |
| Master’s degree | MPhil Tourism Management, UCC |
| Doctorate | PhD Tourism Management, UCC |
| Professor | February 2023 |
| Age at professorship | 37 |
| Current institution | University of Cape Coast |
| Current role | Vice-Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Research field | Tourism Management and related social science fields |
| International role | Senior Research Associate, University of Johannesburg |
| Professional distinction | National Geographic Explorer |
| 2026 milestone | Delivered inaugural lecture on 20 August 2026 |
About the Author
Ferdinand Ellis is an education researcher, curriculum specialist, education policy analyst and education journalist. He is the founder of EducateGhana.com, Ghana’s Education Intelligence Platform, where he writes about Ghanaian education, higher education, academic careers, research, curriculum, policy and educational development.
Editorial note: The biographical details in this profile are based on the information supplied for publication. Claims concerning rankings, institutional appointments, programme accreditation and international affiliations should be checked against the relevant institutional records when citing this profile for academic or official purposes.
