Conference Keynote Speakers 2026
We are honoured to welcome a distinguished lineup of speakers to the 5th CARLIGH International Conference, a premier gathering of library and information professionals, educators, researchers, policymakers, and innovators across Africa and beyond. In alignment with this year’s theme—“The Open Movement in Times of Urgency and Rapid Change”—our thought leaders bring a rich blend of perspectives, from digital innovation and knowledge management to open scholarship, leadership, and educational policy. Their expertise and professional impact continue to shape the evolving information and learning landscape, inspiring dialogue, stimulating new thinking, and offering actionable insights that support openness, resilience, and transformation across the entire developmental and educational ecosystem.
DR. CHRISTOPHER (CHRIS) PROM
is Coordinator for Sponsored Research Development in the Library at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he previously served as Associate Dean for Digital Strategies and as Assistant University Archivist. From 2013-20, he served as Publications Editor and Chair of the Publications Board of Society of American Archivists, and he is also a Fellow of the Society. Chris is currently one of the leads for the Catalyzing African Community Archives for Social Good Project,
PROF. AMEVI ACAKPOVI
is the Acting Vice Chancellor of Accra Technical University (ATU), a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology Ghana, and a Senior Member of IEEE. He holds a PhD in Energy Systems Engineering and has over 15 years of academic and research leadership in electrical and energy systems with specialization in smart grid optimization, hybrid renewable energy systems, and AI applications in energy. Prof. Acakpovi has authored over 120 publications in top-tier journal
PROF. ERIC NYARKO-SAMPSON (PhD)
is a distinguished academic and administrator, currently serving his second term as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in Somanya. He began his professional journey with a Teacher’s Certificate ‘A’ from Komenda College in 1991 and progressed with degrees in Educational Psychology, Human Resource Management, and Guidance and Counselling, including a PhD
PROFESSOR ELLIS OWUSU-DABO
is the immediate past Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, a Professor of Epidemiology and Global Health, a Consultant Public Health Physician and Researcher. In his previous role as Dean of the School of Public Health, Professor Owusu-Dabo saw to the introduction of new programs and growth of the school, increasing the number of Master of Public Health (MPH) programs
JOSH SENDALL
provides executive leadership, management and oversight of three large-scale associate directorates: Student Learning and Experience, Research and Digital Futures, and Content and Discovery. He works collaboratively with the Libraries’ Executive team to enable the strategic delivery of Knowledge for All: University of Leeds Libraries Vision for 2030 in alignment with the institutional strategy: Universal Values, Global Change. In addition to his substantive role, Josh holds
PROF. DORCAS OBIRI-YEBOAH
is a Professor of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast (UCC), Cape Coast, Ghana. She has a medical degree (MBChB), an MSc and PhD as her main academic qualifications. In addition, she has many relevant trainings and courses from recognised institutions/bodies with sponsorship from DAAD, WHO and other agencies/organisations globally.
COLLEEN CAMPBELL
is strategic advisor for external engagement at the Max Planck Digital Library (MPDL). There she coordinates two open access initiatives: the Open Access 2020 Initiative, a global alliance of research organizations and their libraries that are repurposing their investments in subscriptions to support open access publishing, and the ESAC Initiative, a library community of practice building capacities around transformative and open access publishing agreements. She is a member of the LIBER Open Access Working
IRYNA KUCHMA
has been managing the EIFL Open Access Programme (EIFL-OA) since 2008. Working in collaboration with libraries and library consortia in more than 50 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe, she advocates for open access to research results, facilitates the development and implementation of open science policies and infrastructures, and provides support and training. Iryna sits on the boards of Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR), the Global Sustainability Coalition for Open