International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO), a global network of forest research scientists and forest related institutions, has awarded Dr Joseph Rexford Cobbinah, former Director of the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, for promoting for promoting activities of the group.

He is the first African to receive the prestigious award, established in 1896.

A citation accompanying it said Dr Cobbinah has been known for “mentoring and guiding young research scientists and had been an initiator and great promoter of IUFRO activities not only in Africa but beyond the continent”.

IUFRO unites about 15,000 research scientists in 700 academic and research institutions in 110 countries throughout the world.

Its main objective is to promote cooperation in forest and forest-related research globally, through research, dissemination and application of research results and recognizing outstanding contributions of scientists.