Professor Kwesi Yankah is a distinguished Ghanaian academic, linguist, and public intellectual renowned for his contributions to African humanities and education. He has held significant academic leadership roles, including serving as Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana and Vice Chancellor of Central University. His expertise spans African linguistics, oral traditions, and communication, with a focus on Akan royal oratory and the role of proverbs in rhetoric. In recognition of his extensive contributions, he was appointed Emeritus Professor at Ashesi University in 2024

Professor Yankah is the author of several influential works. His notable books include Speaking for the Chief, which won the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences Gold Book Award, and The Proverb in the Context of Akan Rhetoric, recipient of the Ghana Book Award. In 2021, he published Beyond the Political Spider: Critical Issues in African Humanities, a collection of essays examining challenges in African academia. His memoir, The Pen at Risk: Spilling My Little Beans (2023), reflects on his experiences as a columnist during Ghana's military regimes. Additionally, he co-edited African Folklore: An Encyclopedia and has been recognized as a fellow by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Folklore Society