I am Dr. Samuel Kofi Donkor, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Sports and Exercise Medicine (SSEM) at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS). I am an educationist and a researcher with over twenty-five years of professional teaching experience across pre-tertiary and tertiary education in Ghana. My career reflects sustained commitment to teaching, research, institutional leadership and community development, with particular interest in physical health education, sports, recreation, fitness studies and clinical exercise practice.

My professional journey began with a 3-year Teacher's Cert 'A' (Literature in English) awarded by the University of Cape Coast at Jasikan Teacher Training College. I subsequently obtained a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) in Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports (HPERS). I further obtained multiple postgraduate degrees, namely a Master of Education (M.Ed) and a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports, from the University of Education, Winneba. I enhanced my professional competence with a Certificate in Clinical Exercise Practice and Fitness Training from Narh-Bita College – School of Exercise Medicine, Sports and Wellness, Tema. I later earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physical Education from the University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast.

My professional teaching career began under the Ghana Education Service (GES), where I progressed through the ranks from classroom teacher to Assistant Director I, having previously served as Superintendent II, Superintendent I, Principal Superintendent and Assistant Director II. This phase of my career provided a strong foundation in pedagogy, supervision, policy implementation and public sector administration.

My transition into the tertiary education space has been marked by steady academic and professional advancement. I have served at E.P. College of Education, Amedzofe (over 10 years with an additional period of leave of absence), the University of Ghana (7 years) and currently at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), where I am a Senior Lecturer. Across these institutions, I have taught, supervised, examined and mentored students and junior academics, while contributing actively to curriculum delivery, assessment, quality assurance and institutional governance.

At E.P. College of Education, Amedzofe, I served for over a decade as Hall Master, Head of the Science Education Department and Head of the Sports Unit. I also served as a Member of the Academic Board (2012–2018) and Secretary to the Disciplinary Committee (2010–2018), roles that strengthened my experience in academic governance, staff management and student welfare.

Beyond institutional service, I was actively involved in professional advocacy through the Colleges of Education Teachers’ Association of Ghana (CETAG). I served as Branch Chairman, Regional Secretary for the Volta and Oti Regions and as an elected National Executive Officer (NEO – National Trustee). These roles deepened my engagement with staff welfare, policy dialogue and collaborative leadership within the Colleges of Education system.

My academic career is underpinned by research and scholarly publication, with over twenty peer-reviewed articles in reputable outlets, which support my current rank as Senior Lecturer. My research focus and scholarly interests include:

• Physical activity in health and disease
• Sports development & participation metrics
• Exercise in school and non-school settings
• Physical health education and fitness development across lifespan
• Recreational activities for enjoyment, wellbeing and public health; and
• Curricular and pedagogical practices for educational improvement. These research interests inform my teaching, supervision, and policy-related engagements, particularly in the areas of physical activity, sports, fitness studies, exercise and physical health education.

At the University of Ghana, I served as a Chief Examiner for Colleges of Education under the University’s mentorship arrangements, contributed to the School Management Committee and the Security Committee and served as a Senator/Fellow of Mensah Sarbah Hall (2018–2024).

Currently, at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, I contribute to academic leadership and governance as a Board Member of the Institute of Health Research; Board Member of the Graduate School (SSEM representative); Member of the Research and Ethics Committee (UHAS-REC); member of the Sports Committee; member of the Human Performance/Equipment/Simulation Laboratory Committee; Chairman of the Sports Policy Development Committee; Coordinator of the Departmental Quality Assurance Committee. I also served as the Chairman of the Departmental Research Committee in SSEM.

My professional philosophy is grounded in academic excellence, ethical leadership, staff development, student-centred learning and institutional sustainability. Drawing on experience across multiple levels of the education system, I bring a balanced understanding of policy, practice and people to leadership roles, with a strong commitment to advancing teacher education and higher education through research-informed practice, effective governance and purposeful institutional leadership.