George C. Clerk

{{Short description|Ghanaian botanist and plant pathologist (1931–2019)}}

{{Infobox scientist

| honorific_prefix =

| honorific_suffix=FGA

| name = George Carver Clerk

| image = 190px

| caption = G. C. Clerk in 2011

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1931|7|29|df=y}}

| birth_place = Accra, Gold Coast

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2019|5|2|1931|7|29|df=y}}

| death_place = Accra, Ghana

| resting_place_coordinates =

| nationality = {{unbulleted list|British subject (1931–1957)|Ghanaian (1957–2019)}}

| other_names =

| education = {{unbulleted list|Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School|University College of the Gold Coast
University of London (BSc)||University of Bristol | Imperial College London (PhD - DIC)}}

|doctoral_advisor = Michael Francis Madelin

| academic_advisors = Ronald Karslake Starr Wood

| doctoral_students = Christine Amoako-Nuamah

| notable_students = George Tawia Odamtten

| thesis_title = Studies on the survival and germination of conidia of three entomogenous fungi

| thesis_year = 1963

| thesis_url = https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/883434080

| fields = {{hlist|Botany|Ecology|Mycology|Plant pathology}}

| workplaces = {{unbulleted list|University of Ghana, Legon|University of Port Harcourt}}

| known_for = {{unbulleted list|First plant pathologist and mycologist in West Africa|Contributions to science education and phytopathology}}

|prizes = {{unbulleted list|Fulbright Scholar (1973)|Ghana Book Award (1982)}}

}}

George Carver Clerk, {{post nominals|post-noms=FGA}} (29 July 1931 – 2 May 2019) was a Ghanaian botanist and plant pathologist. A professor and later, an emeritus professor at the University of Ghana, Legon, he also focused his research on West African mycology and ecology.{{cite web|url=http://www.ug.edu.gh/botany/visitors/contact_us|title=Contact Us {{!}} Department of Botany|website=www.ug.edu.gh|access-date=2017-04-05|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329232450/http://www.ug.edu.gh/botany/visitors/contact_us|archive-date=29 March 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://gaas-gh.org/fellowship/membership/|title=Membership|website=gaas-gh.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-05|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329143021/http://gaas-gh.org/fellowship/membership/|archive-date=29 March 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://gaas-gh.org/fellowship/|title=Fellowship|website=gaas-gh.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-05|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330011437/http://gaas-gh.org/fellowship/|archive-date=30 March 2017}} Clerk, along with his academic contemporary Ebenezer Laing (1931–2015), was one of Ghana's earliest practitioners of botany as a scientific discipline, in addition to his pioneering role as a plant pathologist in West Africa.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M9EPAQAAIAAJ|title=Crops and their diseases in Ghana|last1=Clerk|first1=George Carver|date=1974|publisher=Ghana Pub. Corp.|pages=iii|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/663060|title=Crops and their diseases in Ghana / G.C. Clerk|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C. (George Carver)|publisher=Ghana Pub. Corp|year=1974|location=Tema|access-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612161458/http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/663060|archive-date=12 June 2017|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://omgvoice.com/lifestyle/gh-science-tech-acheivement/|title=12 Amazing Ghanaian Achievements In The Field Of Science And The People Behind Them|date=2017-09-12|work=OMGVoice.com|access-date=2017-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127050214/https://omgvoice.com/lifestyle/gh-science-tech-acheivement/|archive-date=27 November 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} In 1973, G. C. Clerk became a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Early life and family

George Clerk was born on 29 July 1931 in Accra, Gold Coast.{{Cite web|url=http://www.odadee.net/school|title=PRESEC {{!}} ALUMINI PORTAL|date=2016-11-11|access-date=2017-06-11|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111065106/http://www.odadee.net/school|archive-date=11 November 2016}} His father, Carl Henry Clerk (1895–1982), an agricultural educator, journalist and Presbyterian minister was elected the fourth Synod Clerk of the Presbyterian Church of the Gold Coast from 1950 to 1954 and the Editor of the Christian Messenger, the newspaper of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana from 1960 to 1963.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nL8DAAAAMBAJ&q=carl+henry+clerk+gold+coast&pg=PA47|title=Jet|date=1954-08-26|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329232757/https://books.google.com/books?id=nL8DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA47&lpg=PA47&dq=carl%20henry%20clerk%20gold%20coast&source=bl&ots=OOY7DOpf-W&sig=gFZwpVK6_fm38SYCEfqu1bVK6c4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-jYWErOXSAhVK6GMKHVXKCOQQ6AEIGjAA#v=onepage&q=carl%20henry%20clerk%20gold%20coast&f=false|archive-date=29 March 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{Cite book|title=Obituary: The Reverend Carl Henry Clerk|last1=Clerk|first1=Nicholas, T.|date=5 June 1982|publisher=Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Funeral Bulletin|location=Accra}} His mother, Martha Ayorkor Quao (1911–1989) was from La and Ga-Mashie.{{Cite web|url=https://familysearch.org/search/collection/results?count=75&query=+surname:CLERK~&collection_id=1496208|title=FamilySearch.org|website=familysearch.org|language=en|access-date=2017-06-11|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822012904/https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/results?count=75&query=%20surname%3ACLERK~&collection_id=1496208|archive-date=22 August 2017|df=dmy-all}} Quao's maternal grandfather was Nii Ngleshie Addy I, the first son of Nii Tetteh Tsuru I, the founder and ruler of the Otuopai Clan, a royal house in Ga Mashie. G. C. Clerk's father who had earlier studied agricultural science at Tuskegee University, incidentally named him after the American botanist, George Washington Carver, whose works the older Clerk had studied at the institute, perhaps a foreshadowing of the infant George's future career path.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/february/george-washington-carver-master-inventor-artist/?mobile=false|title=George Washington Carver: Master Inventor, Artist - US - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com|website=www.cbn.com|access-date=2017-09-18|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828234253/http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/february/george-washington-carver-master-inventor-artist/?mobile=false|archive-date=28 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}{{Cite news|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,801330,00.html|title=Art: Black Leonardo|date=1941-11-24|magazine=Time|access-date=2017-09-18|language=en-US|issn=0040-781X|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312053403/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,801330,00.html|archive-date=12 March 2017|df=dmy-all}}

George C. Clerk belonged to the historically notable Clerk family.{{Cite web|url=http://www.odadee75.org/downloads/70years.pdf|title=70 years of excellent secondary education|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722010817/http://www.odadee75.org/downloads/70years.pdf|archive-date=22 July 2011|url-status=live}}

{{Cite book|url=http://www.ghanaculture.gov.gh/privatecontent/File/GHANA%20CARIBBEAN%20RELATIONS%20pdf.pdf|title=Ghana-Caribbean Relations - From Slavery Times to Present: Lecture to the Ghana-Caribbean Association|last1=Anquandah|first1=James|publisher=National Commission|date=November 2006|location=Accra|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730230651/http://www.ghanaculture.gov.gh/privatecontent/File/GHANA%20CARIBBEAN%20RELATIONS%20pdf.pdf|archive-date=30 July 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all|access-date=11 June 2017}}

His paternal great-grandfather, Alexander Worthy Clerk (1820–1906), a Jamaican Moravian educator arrived in the Danish Protectorate of Christiansborg, now Osu, in Accra in 1843, as part of the original group of 24 West Indians employed by the Swiss-based Basel Evangelical Missionary Society.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9AoXAAAAIAAJ|title=Owura Nico, the Rev. Nicholas Timothy Clerk, 1862-1961: pioneer and church leader|last1=Debrunner|first1=Hans W.|date=1965|publisher=Watervile Publishing House|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330122609/https://books.google.com/books/about/Owura_Nico_the_Rev_Nicholas_Timothy_Cler.html?id=9AoXAAAAIAAJ|archive-date=30 March 2017|df=dmy-all}}{{Cite book|url=https://www.amazon.com/history-Christianity-Ghana-Hans-Debrunner/dp/B0006CO3YQ|title=A history of Christianity in Ghana|last1=Debrunner|first1=Hans W.|date=1967|publisher=Waterville Pub. House|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703222956/http://www.amazon.com/history-Christianity-Ghana-Hans-Debrunner/dp/B0006CO3YQ|archive-date=3 July 2013|url-status=live}} A. W. Clerk co-established a boys' middle boarding school, the Salem School in 1843. His paternal great-grandmother, Pauline Hesse (1831–1909) was from the Gold Coast, and was of Euro-Ga heritage.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a5loknGzxTQC|title=Encounters in Quest of Christian Womanhood: The Basel Mission in Pre- and Early Colonial Ghana|last1=Sill|first1=Ulrike|date=2010|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-9004188884|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330122402/https://books.google.com/books/about/Encounters_in_Quest_of_Christian_Womanho.html?id=a5loknGzxTQC|archive-date=30 March 2017|df=dmy-all}} His great-grandaunt was Regina Hesse (1832–1898), a pioneer educator. His grandfather, Nicholas Timothy Clerk (1862–1961), a theologian, was the first Synod Clerk of the Presbyterian Church of the Gold Coast from 1918 to 1932, and a co-founder of the Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, established in 1938.{{Cite web|url=https://dacb.org/stories/ghana/clerk-nt/|title=Clerk, Nicholas Timothy, Ghana, Basel Mission|website=www.dacb.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328135331/http://dacb.org/stories/ghana/clerk_n.html|archive-date=28 March 2016|url-status=live|access-date=2017-06-11}} His grandmother, Anna Alice Meyer (1873–1934) was also a Euro-African.

His uncle, Theodore S. Clerk (1909–1965) was the first Ghanaian architect and planned the port city, Tema.{{Cite web|url=http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=403511|title=Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report |date=June 11, 2017|last1=Goold|first1=David|website=www.scottisharchitects.org.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407150018/http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=403511|archive-date=7 April 2017|url-status=live|access-date=2017-06-11}}{{Cite news|url=http://omgvoice.com/lifestyle/successful-ghanaians-achimota-school/|title=22 Successful Ghanaians Who Went To Achimota School|last=Ofori-Mensah|work=OMGVoice|access-date=2017-06-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330084031/http://omgvoice.com/lifestyle/successful-ghanaians-achimota-school/|archive-date=30 March 2017|url-status=dead|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.myheritage.com/person-1000060_58948112_58948112/theodore-shealtiel-clerk|title=Profile of Theodore Shealtiel Clerk|website=MyHeritage.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407145232/https://www.myheritage.com/person-1000060_58948112_58948112/theodore-shealtiel-clerk|archive-date=7 April 2017|access-date=2017-06-11}} G. C. Clerk's aunts were Jane E. Clerk (1904–1999), a pioneer education administrator and Matilda J. Clerk (1916–1984), the second Ghanaian woman in orthodox-medicine.{{Cite book|title=Physicians, Colonial Racism, and Diaspora in West Africa|last1=Patton|first1=Adell Jr.|date=1996-04-13|publisher=University Press of Florida|isbn=9780813014326|edition=1st|location=Gainesville|pages=29|language=en}} Pauline M. Clerk (1935 - 2013), a diplomat and presidential advisor, was his cousin, as was Alexander Adu Clerk (born 1947), a sleep medicine specialist and psychiatrist.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pNjMDQAAQBAJ&q=pauline+clerk+diplomat+ghana&pg=PA513|title=The Statesman's Year-Book 1962: The One-Volume ENCYCLOPAEDIA of all nations|last1=Steinberg|first1=S.|date=2016-12-27|publisher=Springer|isbn=9780230270916|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112171312/https://books.google.com/books?id=pNjMDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA513&lpg=PA513&dq=pauline+clerk+diplomat+ghana&source=bl&ots=Y-7q7EETsw&sig=i5r4oZqszx94pgk-1GPo9CBFVo0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjY-93ZnsbYAhXQ21MKHVfUDk8Q6AEILTAB#v=onepage&q=pauline%20clerk%20diplomat%20ghana&f=false|archive-date=12 January 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6NbMDQAAQBAJ&q=pauline+clerk+diplomat+ghana&pg=PA514|title=The Statesman's Year-Book 1963: The One-Volume ENCYCLOPAEDIA of all nations|last1=Steinberg|first1=S.|date=2016-12-27|publisher=Springer|isbn=9780230270923|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112171312/https://books.google.com/books?id=6NbMDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA514&lpg=PA514&dq=pauline+clerk+diplomat+ghana&source=bl&ots=1NoNfXNGXX&sig=SRAnHnze_QvqKNjT1GypkfX3m0M&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjY-93ZnsbYAhXQ21MKHVfUDk8Q6AEILzAC#v=onepage&q=pauline%20clerk%20diplomat%20ghana&f=false|archive-date=12 January 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O43LDQAAQBAJ&q=pauline+clerk+diplomat+ghana&pg=PA484|title=The Statesman's Year-Book 1964-65: The One-Volume ENCYCLOPAEDIA of all nations|last1=Steinberg|first1=S.|date=2016-12-26|publisher=Springer|isbn=9780230270930|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112171313/https://books.google.com/books?id=O43LDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA484&lpg=PA484&dq=pauline+clerk+diplomat+ghana&source=bl&ots=AiqyBbH-AN&sig=odZlLsm3AS5IHiygv99aKDsvXvw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjY-93ZnsbYAhXQ21MKHVfUDk8Q6AEIMTAD#v=onepage&q=pauline%20clerk%20diplomat%20ghana&f=false|archive-date=12 January 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sleepmedicineservice.com/meetourspecialist.html|title=Sleep Medicine Services|website=www.sleepmedicineservice.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125073055/http://sleepmedicineservice.com/meetourspecialist.html|archive-date=25 January 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=2017-04-12}}{{cite web|url=https://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-alex-clerk-2gvl9|title=Dr. Alexander Clerk, MD - San Jose, CA - Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine {{!}} Healthgrades.com|website=www.healthgrades.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412224648/https://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-alex-clerk-2gvl9|archive-date=2017-04-12|url-status=live|access-date=2017-04-12}}{{cite web|url=http://doctor.webmd.com/doctor/alexander-clerk-md-fcc31742-6475-4cee-b4e6-35dc9efdfa0b-overview|title=Alexander A. Clerk, MD: Sleep Medicine, Psychiatry|website=doctor.webmd.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412224711/http://doctor.webmd.com/doctor/alexander-clerk-md-fcc31742-6475-4cee-b4e6-35dc9efdfa0b-overview|archive-date=2017-04-12|url-status=live|access-date=2017-04-12}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.pmgmd.com/provider/alex-a-clerk-m-d/|title=Alex A. Clerk, M.D. - Physicians Medical Group of San Jose|work=Physicians Medical Group of San Jose|access-date=2017-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413070839/http://www.pmgmd.com/provider/alex-a-clerk-m-d/|archive-date=2017-04-13|url-status=live|language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://www.doximity.com/pub/alex-clerk-md|title=Dr. Alex Clerk, MD – San Jose, CA {{!}} Psychiatry on Doximity|website=Doximity|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413071311/https://www.doximity.com/pub/alex-clerk-md|archive-date=2017-04-13|url-status=live|access-date=2017-04-12}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Alex_Clerk.html|title=Dr. Alex Clerk, MD {{!}} San Jose, CA {{!}} Psychiatrist|website=www.vitals.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413071249/http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Alex_Clerk.html|archive-date=13 April 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=2017-04-12}}{{Cite news|url=http://health.usnews.com/doctors/alex-clerk-509347|title=Dr. Alex Clerk MD: Psychiatry, San Jose, CA|work=U.S. News|access-date=12 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412230206/http://health.usnews.com/doctors/alex-clerk-509347|archive-date=12 April 2017|url-status=dead}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qcwDAAAAMBAJ&q=alexander+adu+clerk+date+of+birth&pg=PA60|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229060559/https://books.google.com/books?id=qcwDAAAAMBAJ&q=alexander+adu+clerk+date+of+birth&pg=PA60|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 December 2020|title=Ebony|date=1992-07-01|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company|language=en}} George Clerk's granduncle was Emmanuel Charles Quist (1880–1959), a barrister and judge who became the first African President of the Legislative Council from 1949 to 1951, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Gold Coast from 1951 to 1957, and Speaker of the National Assembly of Ghana from March 1957 to November 1957.{{Cite web|url=https://janus.lib.cam.ac.uk/db/node.xsp?id=EAD/GBR/0115/Y3011R/26|title=Janus: Progress in the Colonies, 1940s-1950s|website=janus.lib.cam.ac.uk|access-date=2017-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806062620/https://janus.lib.cam.ac.uk/db/node.xsp?id=EAD%2FGBR%2F0115%2FY3011R%2F26|archive-date=6 August 2017|url-status=live}}

Clerk's maternal uncle was the jurist and judge, Nii Amaa Ollennu (1906–1986), elected the Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana during the Second Republic as well as serving as the Chairman of the Presidential Commission and acting President of Ghana from 7 August 1970 to 31 August 1970.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judicial.gov.gh/history/list_lawyers/home.htm|title=Official Web Site for the Judicial Service of the Republic of Ghana|date=2005-04-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050414064831/http://www.judicial.gov.gh/history/list_lawyers/home.htm|archive-date=14 April 2005|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=2017-06-06}}{{Cite web|url=http://rulers.org/rulg1.html#ghana|title=Countries Ga-Gi|website=rulers.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403074857/http://www.rulers.org/rulg1.html|archive-date=3 April 2007|url-status=live|access-date=2017-06-06}} His uncle was Nathan Quao (1915–2005), a diplomat, educationist and public servant who doubled as a presidential advisor to several Heads of State of Ghana.{{Cite news|url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/74014/nathan-quao-to-be-given-state-burial-on-april-8.html|title=Nathan Quao to be given state burial on April 8|work=ModernGhana.com|access-date=2017-06-11|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611201449/https://www.modernghana.com/news/74014/nathan-quao-to-be-given-state-burial-on-april-8.html|archive-date=11 June 2017|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Nathan-Quao-to-be-given-state-burial-on-April-8-77485|title=Nathan Quao to be given state burial on April 8|website=www.ghanaweb.com|date=30 November 2001|language=en|access-date=2017-06-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611201449/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Nathan-Quao-to-be-given-state-burial-on-April-8-77485|archive-date=11 June 2017|url-status=live}} Moreover, his first cousin was the economist and diplomat, Amon Nikoi (1930–2002), appointed the Governor of the Bank of Ghana from 1973 to 1977 and Finance minister from 1979 to 1981.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Former-Bank-of-Ghana-Governor-buried-at-La-28089|title=Former Bank of Ghana Governor buried at La|website=www.ghanaweb.com|date=30 November 2001|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421092109/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Former-Bank-of-Ghana-Governor-buried-at-La-28089|archive-date=21 April 2017|url-status=live|access-date=2017-04-22}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/people/person.php?ID=171|title=Dr Amon Nikoi, Former Governor of the Bank of Ghana|website=www.ghanaweb.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027192942/http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/people/person.php?ID=171|archive-date=27 October 2016|url-status=live|access-date=2017-04-22}}

Education and training

George Clerk was a pupil at Presbyterian primary schools at Somanya and Osu. He attended the boys' middle boarding school, the Salem School. Clerk had his secondary education at the Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School, then located in Odumase-Krobo. He enrolled at the University College of the Gold Coast and the University of London, then the parent institution of the university college. He received his bachelor's degree in botany with first-class honours and winning the first prize as the best graduating student in botany.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GHWfAAAAMAAJ&q=g.+c.+clerk+|title=Annual Report|last1=Ghana|first1=University of|date=2003|publisher=State Publishing Company|pages=88, 89|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913132146/https://books.google.com/books?id=GHWfAAAAMAAJ&dq=g.+c.+clerk+phd&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=g.+c.+clerk+|archive-date=13 September 2017|df=dmy-all}} G. C. Clerk was then awarded a postgraduate research fellowship at the University of London and the University of Bristol, and in 1963, earned a joint PhD-DIC in botany, with a sub-concentration in physiological mycology, from Imperial College London where he wrote his dissertation on asexual spores of parasitic fungi growing on the bodies of insects.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l9wsAQAAIAAJ&q=g.+c.+clerk+|title=A history of University of Ghana: half a century of higher education (1948-1998)|last1=Agbodeka|first1=Francis|last2=Ghana|first2=University of|date=1998|publisher=Woeli Pub. Services|isbn=9789964978563|pages=323, 331|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913132144/https://books.google.com/books?id=l9wsAQAAIAAJ&dq=g.+c.+clerk+phd&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=g.+c.+clerk+|archive-date=13 September 2017|df=dmy-all}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oickAQAAIAAJ&q=g.+c.+clerk+phd|title=Proceedings of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences|last1=Sciences|first1=Ghana Academy of Arts and|date=1995|publisher=Secretariat of the Academy of Arts and Sciences|isbn=9789988572020|pages=vi|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913132144/https://books.google.com/books?id=oickAQAAIAAJ&q=g.+c.+clerk+phd&dq=g.+c.+clerk+phd&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjzreWU-brUAhVGQyYKHZNDDzgQ6AEINDAD|archive-date=13 September 2017|df=dmy-all}} His doctoral advisor was the British mycologist, Michael Francis Madelin (1931–2007), one of the world's earliest investigators of conidial fungi and slime moulds.{{Cite journal|last1=Campbell|first1=Richard|date=2008-12-01|title=Michael Francis Madelin (1931–2007): a pioneer in the biology and ecology of conidial fungi and slime moulds|journal=Mycological Research|volume=112|issue=12|pages=1489–1492|doi=10.1016/j.mycres.2008.09.005|pmid=19145717|issn=0953-7562|doi-access=free}}{{Cite web |last1=Clerk |first1=Daniel |date=2019-06-13 |title=In memoriam: George Carver Clerk, 87 |url=https://communities.springernature.com/posts/in-memoriam-george-carver-clerk-87 |access-date=2019-06-13 |website=Springer Nature Research Communities |publisher=Springer Nature |language=en}} The pioneer British plant pathologist, Ronald Karslake Starr Wood (1919 – 2017) also supervised his research in London.

Career

Prior to his postgraduate studies, Clerk taught biology at Prempeh College for about three years in the late 1950s and also served as an assistant housemaster there. During this period, he was also an instructor in mathematical sciences to adult education students. He then became a researcher at the Plant Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture. George Clerk rose through the ranks to attain the rank of Full Professor of Botany at the University of Ghana, Legon after joining the institution as a lecturer in 1964.{{Cite thesis|title=Studies on the Physiology of Achlya Megasperma Humphrey Occurring In Ponds on the Accra Plains with Special Reference to Its Tolerance To Organic and Inorganic Pollution|date=March 1976|publisher=University of Ghana|url=http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/7667|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330083133/http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/7667|archive-date=30 March 2017}}{{Cite thesis|date=July 1999|title=Assessment of the Effect of Pollen Grains of Maize (Zea Mays L.) on Cercospora Arachidicola Hori. and on Infection of Leaves of Groundnut (Arachis Hypogea L.) caused by the Fungus|url=http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/7831|url-status=live|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330083046/http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/7831|archive-date=30 March 2017|publisher=University of Ghana|type=Thesis}} While at the University of Ghana, he served as the Senior Tutor of the Senior Common Room and the Hall Master for Akuafo Hall from 1979 to 1980, a hall he had lived in as a student.{{Cite book|title=University of Ghana Akuafo Hall Golden Jubilee Grand Durbar|last1=Ankra-Badu|first1=G. A.|date=5 September 2009|publisher=Primo Press Limited}} He served as the departmental head and was appointed the Dean of Graduate Studies at the university.

He authored more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific publications including journal articles, abstracts, book chapters, textbooks as well as blueprints for international examination standards.{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/fungiadvancedtre0001ains|url-access=registration|quote=the fungi an advanced treatise.|title=The Fungi: An Advanced Treatise|last1=Ainsworth|first1=Geoffrey Clough|date=1965|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=9780120456017|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zi5dDwAAQBAJ&q=principles+of+fungal+taxonomy|title=Principles of Fungal Taxonomy|last1=Talbot|first1=P. H. B.|date=1971-04-22|publisher=Macmillan International Higher Education|isbn=9781349154326|pages=174, 255|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S-kfAQAAIAAJ&q=diseases+of+cocoa+thorold|title=Diseases of cocoa|last1=Thorold|first1=C. A.|date=1975-05-08|publisher=Clarendon Press|pages=41, 251, 257|isbn=9780198545071|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p94xAAAAMAAJ&q=Clerk|title=The fungal spore: form and function : [proceedings]|last1=Weber|first1=Darrell J.|last2=Hess|first2=Wilford M.|date=1976|publisher=Wiley|isbn=9780371923320|pages=50, 59|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qM8lNQAACAAJ&q=Phytophthora+its+biology+taxonomy+ecology+and+pathology|title=Phytophthora: Its Biology, Taxonomy, Ecology, and Pathology|last1=Bartnicki-Garcia|first1=S.|date=1987|publisher=APS Press|isbn=9780890540848|language=en}} Clerk's advanced treatise on plant diseases in Ghana and West Africa influenced public policies pertaining to plant development, as illustrated by his experimental investigation of the fungal pathogenesis of the black pod disease in the cocoa bean.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=244rAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA213|title=Programs of the Board on Science and Technology for International Development: Summary of Activities, 1970-78|last1=Relations|first1=National Research Council (U S. ) Commission on International|date=1978|publisher=National Academies|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611220953/https://books.google.com/books?id=244rAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA213|archive-date=11 June 2017|df=dmy-all}}{{Cite web|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0003/000340/034000EB.pdf |title=Workshop on African Regional Network for Environmental Chemistry, Nairobi, Kenya |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330174439/http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0003/000340/034000EB.pdf |archive-date=30 March 2017 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/79257942_G_C_Clerk|title=G C Clerk's scientific contributions {{!}} University of Ghana, Accra (Legon) and other places|website=ResearchGate|language=en|access-date=2018-03-19|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319193942/https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/79257942_G_C_Clerk|archive-date=19 March 2018|df=dmy-all}} In 1973, he became a Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, the only scholar to be elected that year. George Clerk's seminal book, Crops and their diseases in Ghana, was published in 1974, and secured the Ghana Book Award in 1982.{{Cite book|url=https://www.amazon.com/Crops-Their-Diseases-Ghana-Clerk/dp/B003DHNHBQ|title=Crops and Their Diseases in Ghana|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C.|date=1974|publisher=Ghana Publishing Co.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706042934/http://www.amazon.com/Crops-Their-Diseases-Ghana-Clerk/dp/B003DHNHBQ|archive-date=6 July 2013|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|title=Crops and their diseases in Ghana|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C|date=1974|publisher=Ghana Pub. Corp.|location=Tema|language=en|oclc=2307075|df=dmy-all}} G. C. Clerk was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of California, Riverside between 1973 and 1974.{{Cite web|title=George Clerk {{!}} Fulbright Scholar Program|url=https://cies.org/grantee/george-clerk|access-date=2021-07-21|website=cies.org}} He was a visiting professor at the Ahmadu Bello and Lagos universities in Nigeria. He assumed the dean of science position at the University of Port Harcourt in the mid-eighties.

He was a board director at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission from 1996 to 1998 along with his academic colleague, Marian Ewurama Addy, the first Ghanaian woman professor of natural science.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iaea.org/inis/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/29/061/29061226.pdf|title=Ghana Atomic Energy Commission: At a Glance|date=July 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820202553/http://www.iaea.org/inis/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/29/061/29061226.pdf|archive-date=20 August 2017|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} He was a resource person, chief examiner for biology and a consultant to the West African Examinations Council. He was an external examiner and an assessor for faculty promotions at other institutions of higher education. Clerk was a regional representative of the Association of African Universities. Furthermore, he was a trustee at major organisations such as the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Ghana National Commission for UNESCO, the Volta Basin Research Project and the Water Research Institute, formerly the Institute for Aquatic Biology.

Personal life

G. C. Clerk was married; his children were Judith, George, Jnr., Nicholas, Theodore, Daniel and Dinah.{{Cite book |url=http://brochure.linqworth.com/ProfEmeritusGeorgeCarverClerk.pdf |title=Burial and Thanksgiving Service for the late Professor Emeritus George Carver Clerk, FGA (1931–2019) Presbyterian Church of Ghana Funeral Brochure |date=June 2019 |publisher=Akuafo Hall Chapel, University of Ghana, Legon |location=Accra |pages=6–41}}{{Dead link|date=August 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=Daniel|date=July 2019|title=Obituary of George Carver Clerk, 1931–2019|url=https://www.isppweb.org/newsletters/pdf/49_7.pdf|url-status=live|journal=ISPP Newsletter|publisher=International Society for Plant Pathology|volume=49|issue=7|pages=5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701171541/https://www.isppweb.org/newsletters/pdf/49_7.pdf|archive-date=1 July 2019|access-date=1 July 2019}} Clerk was a trained pianist. His older brother was Nicholas T. Clerk (1930–2012), a former GIMPA Rector.

Death and funeral

George Clerk died in Accra on 2 May 2019 after a short illness.{{Cite web|url=https://us7.campaign-archive.com/?u=9136c5a8e1adadd19bb56d1b4&id=e97fae6284|title=🌿🌼🌹 ISPP Newsletter 49 (7) July 2019 🌲🌳🌾|website=us7.campaign-archive.com|access-date=2019-07-04}} Clerk's funeral service was held at the Akuafo Hall Chapel on the campus of the University of Ghana, Legon, before his burial at the Osu Cemetery in Accra. Upon his death, G. C. Clerk's obituary was published by Nature and the International Society for Plant Pathology.

Awards and honours

Fulbright Scholar (1973–1974)
Ghana Book Award (1982)

Books

Clerk, G. C. (1963) “Studies on the survival and germination of conidia of three entomogenous fungi.” London {{Cite book|title=Studies on the survival and germination of conidia of three entomogenous fungi.|last1=Clerk|first1=George Carver|last2=Imperial College|first2=London|date=1963|language=en|df=dmy-all|oclc = 883434080}}{{Cite book|url=https://spiral.imperial.ac.uk/bitstream/10044/1/13674/2/Clerk-GC-1963-PhD-Thesis.pdf|title=Studies on the survival and germination of conidia of three entomogenous fungi|last1=Clerk|first1=George Carver|publisher=Imperial College London|date=June 1963|location=London}}
(contrib.) Ewer, D. W.; Hall, J. B.; Clerk, G. C. (1972) “Ecological biology: for A-level and intermediate students in Africa." London: Longman {{Cite book|title=Ecological biology: for A-level and intermediate students in Africa|last1=Ewer|first1=D. W|last2=Hall|first2=J. B|last3=Clerk|first3=G. C|date=1972|publisher=Longman|isbn=978-0582609426|location=London|language=en|df=dmy-all|oclc = 2895889}}
Clerk, G. C. (1974) "Crops and their diseases in Ghana." Tema: Ghana Pub. Corp.
(contrib.) Senteza Kajubi, W.; Clerk, G. C. et al. (1974) "African Encyclopedia." Oxford University Press{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=755OxAEACAAJ&q=Africa+Encyclopedia+Oxford+university+press+1974|title=African Encyclopedia|last1=Kajubi|first1=W. Senteza|date=1974|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780199131792|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B75xAAAAMAAJ|title=African encyclopedia|last1=Kajubi|first1=W. Senteza|date=1974|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780199131785|language=en}}
(contrib.) Ewer, D. W.; Hall, J. B.; Clerk, G. C.; Coker, W. Z.; Oldman, R. S.; Owen, D. F. et al. (1989) “Ecological biology. 1: Organisms and their environments." Harlow: Longman{{Cite book|title=Ecological biology. for A-level and intermediate students in Africa 1: Organisms and their environments / contributors to this book: G.C. Clerk ... [et al.]. - Reprint. - 1990, cop. 1972 1 : Organisms and their environments / contributors to this book: G.C. Clerk ... [et al.]. - Reprint. - 1990, cop. 1972|last1=Ewer|first1=D. W|last2=Hall|first2=J. B|last3=Clerk|first3=G. C|last4=Coker|first4=W. Z|date=1989|publisher=Longman|location=Harlow|language=en|oclc=873971686}}
Clerk, G. C. (1995) "Analysis and Interpretation of Biological Data for Senior Secondary Schools." Accra: Fairfield Publications

Bibliography

=Further reading=

{{columns-list|

Clerk, G. C. (1960) "A vein-clearing virus of sweet potato in Ghana." Plant Dis. Rep. 44: 932-933{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uj_aBwAAQBAJ&q=crops+and+their+diseases+in+ghana+g.c.+clerk&pg=PA87|title=Current Topics in Vector Research|date=2012-12-06|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=9781461247128|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913132144/https://books.google.com/books?id=Uj_aBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA87&lpg=PA87&dq=crops+and+their+diseases+in+ghana+g.c.+clerk&source=bl&ots=poeamXl-yy&sig=HW1gTy-B4A_LxzpmHneIUhUzrmc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjir6WT8rrUAhUCJCYKHTsOD68Q6AEIODAE|archive-date=13 September 2017|df=dmy-all}}
Clerk, G. C.; Madelin, M. F. (1965) “The longevity of conidia of three insect-parasitizing hyphomycetes.” Transactions of the British Mycological Society. 48 (2): 193-209{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C.|last2=Madelin|first2=M. F.|date=1965-06-01|title=The longevity of conidia of three insect-parasitizing hyphomycetes|journal=Transactions of the British Mycological Society|volume=48|issue=2|pages=193–209|doi=10.1016/S0007-1536(65)80086-9|issn=0007-1536}}{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G.C|last2=Madelin|first2=M.F|date=1965|title=The longevity of conidia of three insect-parasitizing hyphomycetes|journal=MYRETR Transactions of the British Mycological Society|language=en|volume=48|issue=2|pages=193–209|issn=0007-1536|oclc=4922913201|doi=10.1016/S0007-1536(65)80086-9}}
Clerk, G. C.; Ayesu-Offei, E. N. (1967). "Conidia and conidial germination in Leveillula taurica (Lev.) Arn." Annals of Botany. 31(4): 749–754{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G.C.|last2=Ayesu-Offei|first2=E.N.|date=1967-10-01|title=Conidia and Conidial Germination in Leveillula taurica (Lèv.) Arn.|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/294478863|url-status=live|journal=Ann. Bot.|series=New Series|volume=31|issue=4|pages=749–754|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a084179|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502222159/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/294478863_Conidia_and_Conidial_Germination_in_Leveillula_taurica_Lev_Arn|archive-date=2 May 2018|df=dmy-all}}{{Cite book|url=http://ir.knust.edu.gh/bitstream/123456789/5305/1/Edward%20Boateng.pdf|title=Evaluation and selection of eleven lines of hot pepper (Capsicum Frutescens L.) at different spacing for seed yield and quality|last1=Boateng|first1=Edward|publisher=Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology|year=2013|location=Kumasi|access-date=2 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503111952/http://ir.knust.edu.gh/bitstream/123456789/5305/1/Edward%20Boateng.pdf|archive-date=3 May 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://eurekamag.com/research/014/394/|title=Biology, Geography & Health Research: Chapter 14395|website=Biology, Geography & Health Sciences|language=en|access-date=2018-05-02|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423091427/http://eurekamag.com/research/014/394/|archive-date=23 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}{{Cite book|url=http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/bitstream/handle/123456789/7609/Mary%20Mamle%20Teye_Studies%20on%20the%20Mycoflora%20of%20Okra%2C%20Onion%2C%20Pepper%20and%20Tomato_1994%20.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|title=Studies on the mycoflora of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench), Onion (Allium cepa L. var cepa), Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants and their stored products|last1=Teye|first1=Mary Mamle|publisher=University of Ghana, Legon|year=1994|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502222159/http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/bitstream/handle/123456789/7609/Mary%20Mamle%20Teye_Studies%20on%20the%20Mycoflora%20of%20Okra%2C%20Onion%2C%20Pepper%20and%20Tomato_1994%20.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|archive-date=2 May 2018|df=dmy-all}}{{Cite web|url=http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/bitstream/1/69243/1/Th8705.pdf|title="Conidia and conidial germination in Leveillula taurica (Lev.) Arn". Annals of Botany 31(4): 749–754}}{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite journal|last1=Palti|first1=Josef|date=1988-10-01|title=The Leveillula mildews|journal=The Botanical Review|language=en|volume=54|issue=4|pages=423–535|doi=10.1007/BF02858418|bibcode=1988BotRv..54..423P |s2cid=40402491|issn=0006-8101}}{{Cite journal |author=Zheng Zheng |author2=Teruo Nonomura |author3=Károly Bóka |author4=Yoshinori Matsuda |author5=Richard G. F. Visser |author6=Hideyoshi Toyoda |author7=Levente Kiss |author8=Yuling Bai|date=2013|title=Detection and Quantification of Leveillula taurica Growth in Pepper Leaves|journal=Techniques|volume=103|issue=6|pages=623–632|doi=10.1094/PHYTO-08-12-0198-R|pmid=23324047|doi-access=free|bibcode=2013PhPat.103..623Z |hdl=10831/91234|hdl-access=free}}{{Cite journal |author=Yigal Elad |author2=Yoel Messika |author3=Michal Brand |author4=Dalia Rav David |author5=Abraham Sztejnberg|date=2006|title=Effect of Microclimate on Leveillula taurica Powdery Mildew of Sweet Pepper|journal= Phytopathology|volume=97|issue=7|pages=813–824|doi=10.1094/PHYTO-97-7-0813|pmid=18943930|doi-access=}}{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C|last2=Ayesu-Offei|first2=E. N|date=1967|title=Conidia and Conidial Germination in Leveillula taurica (Lèv.) Arn.|journal=Annals of Botany|language=en|volume=31|issue=124|pages=749–754|issn=0305-7364|oclc=5792853042|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a084179}}
Clerk, G. C.; Caurie, M. (1968) "Biochemical changes caused by some Aspergillus species in root tuber of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.)." Trop. Sci. 10: 149–154{{Cite web|url=https://www.semanticscholar.org/author/G.-C.-Clerk/144164196?sort=influence|title=G. C. Clerk - Semantic Scholar|website=www.semanticscholar.org|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-04}}{{Cite journal|url=https://eurekamag.com/research/014/359/014359839.php|title=Biochemical changes caused by some Aspergillus species in root tuber of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.)|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C.|last2=Caurie|first2=M.|date=1968-01-05|journal=Trop. Sci.|volume=10|pages=149–154|language=en|access-date=2019-10-05}}
Clerk, G. C. (1969) “Influence of Soil Extracts on the Germination of Conidia of the Fungi Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces farinosus.” Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 13: 120-124{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C|date=1969|title=Influence of Soil Extracts on the Germination of Conidia of the Fungi Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces farinosus.|journal=Journal of Invertebrate Pathology|language=en|volume=13|issue=1 |pages=120–124|oclc=709653919|doi=10.1016/0022-2011(69)90245-6|bibcode=1969JInvP..13..120C }}
Clerk, G. C.; Ankora, J. K. (1969) "Development and release of conidia of Phyllactinia corylea." Canadian Journal of Botany. 47 (8): 1289–1290{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C.|last2=Ankora|first2=J. K.|date=1969|title=Development and release of conidia of Phyllactinia corylea|journal=Canadian Journal of Botany|volume=47|issue=8|pages=1289–1290|doi=10.1139/b69-180|bibcode=1969CaJB...47.1289C |issn=0008-4026}}
Bimpong, C. E.; Clerk, G. C. (1970) "Motility and Chemotaxis in Zoospores of Phytophthora palmivora (Butl.) Butl." Annals of Botany. 34 (3): 617–624{{Cite journal|last1=Bimpong|first1=Christina E.|last2=Clerk|first2=G. C.|date=1970-06-01|title=Motility and Chemotaxis in Zoospores of Phytophthora palmivora (Butl.) Butl.|journal=Annals of Botany|language=en|volume=34|issue=3|pages=617–624|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a084395|issn=0305-7364}}
Clerk, G. C.; Ankora, J. K. (1971) "Germination of conidia of Phyllactinia corylea at low humidities." Transactions of the British Mycological Society. 57 (1): 162–164{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C.|last2=Ankora|first2=J. K.|date=1971-01-01|title=Germination of conidia of Phyllactinia corylea at low humidities|journal=Transactions of the British Mycological Society|volume=57|issue=1|pages=162–164|doi=10.1016/S0007-1536(71)80093-1|issn=0007-1536}}{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G.C|last2=Ankora|first2=J.K|date=1971|title=Germination of conidia of Phyllactinia corylea at low humidities|journal=MYRETR Transactions of the British Mycological Society|language=en|volume=57|issue=1|pages=162–164|issn=0007-1536|oclc=4922920266|doi=10.1016/S0007-1536(71)80093-1}}
Clerk, G. C. (1972) "Germination of Sporangia of Phytophthora palmivora (Butl.) Butl." Annals of Botany. 36 (4): 801–807{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C.|date=1972|title=Germination of Sporangia of Phytophthora palmivora (Butl.) Butl.|journal=Annals of Botany|language=en|volume=36|issue=4|pages=801–807|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a084636|issn=0305-7364}}{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C|date=1972|title=Germination of Sporangia of Phytophthora palmivora (Butl.) Butl|journal=Annals of Botany|language=en|volume=36|issue=147|pages=801–807|issn=0305-7364|oclc=5792840550|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a084636}}
Clerk, G.C. (1974) "Ultrastructure of Wall Swellings of Germinating Sporangia of Phytophthora palmivora (Butl.) Butl." Annals of Botany. 38 (5): 1103–106{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C.|date=1974|title=Ultrastructure of Wall Swellings of Germinating Sporangia of Phytophthora palmivora (Butl.) Butl.|journal=Annals of Botany|language=en|volume=38|issue=5|pages=1103–1106|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a084901|issn=0305-7364}}{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C|date=1974|title=Ultrastructure of Wall Swellings of Germinating Sporangia of Phytophthora palmivora (Butl.) Butl.|journal=Annals of Botany|language=en|volume=38|issue=158|pages=1103–1106|issn=0305-7364|oclc=5792842250|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a084901}}
Maramba, P.; Clerk, G.C. (1974) "Survival of conidia of Trachysphaera fructigena." Transactions of the British Mycological Society. 63 (2): 391–393{{Cite journal|last1=Maramba|first1=P.|last2=Clerk|first2=G. C.|date=1974-10-01|title=Survival of conidia of Trachysphaera fructigena|journal=Transactions of the British Mycological Society|volume=63|issue=2|pages=391–393|doi=10.1016/S0007-1536(74)80187-7|issn=0007-1536}}
Clerk, G. C. (1978) "Tapinanthus bangwensis in a Cola Plantation in Ghana." PANS. 24 (1): 57–62{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C.|date=1978|title=Tapinanthus bangwensis in a Cola Plantation in Ghana|journal=PANS|volume=24|issue=1|pages=57–62|doi=10.1080/09670877809414259|issn=0309-7943}}{{Cite journal|last1=Clerk|first1=G. C|date=1978|title=Tapinanthus bangwensis in a Cola Plantation in Ghana|journal=Pans Pans|language=en|volume=24|issue=1|pages=57–62|issn=0309-7943|oclc=4642307019|doi=10.1080/09670877809414259}}
Manu, M.; Clerk, G. C. (1981) "Secondary Sporangium Formation in Phytophthora Palmivora (Butl.) Butl." Annals of Botany. 47(3): 329–334{{Cite journal|last1=Manu|first1=M.|last2=Clerk|first2=G. C.|date=1981-03-01|title=Secondary Sporangium Formation in Phytophthora Palmivora (Butl.) Butl|journal=Annals of Botany|language=en|volume=47|issue=3|pages=329–334|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a086024|issn=0305-7364}}
Akushie, P-L; Clerk, G. C. (1981) "Effect of relative humidity on viability of Rhizopus oryzae sporangiospores." Transactions of the British Mycological Society. 76 (2): 332–334{{Cite journal|last1=Akushie|first1=P-L.|last2=Clerk|first2=G. C.|date=1981-02-01|title=Effect of relative humidity on viability of Rhizopus oryzae sporangiospores|journal=Transactions of the British Mycological Society|volume=76|issue=2|pages=332–334|doi=10.1016/S0007-1536(81)80158-1|issn=0007-1536}}
Cartey Caesar, J.; Clerk, G. C. (1985) "Water Stress-Induced Changes in the Morphology of the Powdery Mildew, Leveillula taurica (Lèv.) Arn." Journal of Phytopathology. 112 (3): 217–221{{Cite journal|last1=Caesar|first1=J. Cartey|last2=Clerk|first2=G. C.|date=1985|title=Water Stress-Induced Changes in the Morphology of the Powdery Mildew, Leveillula taurica (Lèv.) Arn.|journal=Journal of Phytopathology|language=en|volume=112|issue=3|pages=217–221|doi=10.1111/j.1439-0434.1985.tb00798.x|bibcode=1985JPhyt.112..217C |issn=1439-0434}}
Cartey Caesar, J.; Clerk, G. C. (1985) "Germinability of Leveillula taurica (powdery mildew) conidia obtained from water-stressed pepper plants." Canadian Journal of Botany. 63 (10): 1681–1684{{Cite journal|last1=Caesar|first1=J. Cartey|last2=Clerk|first2=G. C.|date=1985-10-01|title=Germinability of Leveillula taurica (powdery mildew) conidia obtained from water-stressed pepper plants|journal=Canadian Journal of Botany|volume=63|issue=10|pages=1681–1684|doi=10.1139/b85-234|bibcode=1985CaJB...63.1681C |issn=0008-4026}}
Odamtten, G. T.; Clerk, G. C. (1988) "Effect of metabolites of Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma viride on development and structure of radicle of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) seedlings." Plant and Soil. 106 (2): 285–288{{Cite journal|last1=Odamtten|first1=G. T.|last2=Clerk|first2=G. C.|date=1988-02-01|title=Effect of metabolites ofAspergillus niger andTrichoderma viride on development and structure of radicle of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) seedlings|journal=Plant and Soil|language=en|volume=106|issue=2|pages=285–288|doi=10.1007/BF02371226|bibcode=1988PlSoi.106..285O |s2cid=46073454|issn=1573-5036}}
Ampofo, J. A.; Clerk, G. C. (2002) “Infestation of fish-culturing communities with fish-borne bacteria: The Ghanaian case.” International Journal of Environmental Health Research. 12 (3):277-82 {{Cite journal|last1=Ampofo|first1=Joseph|last2=C Clerk|first2=G|date=2002-10-01|title=Infestation of fish-culturing communities with fish-borne bacteria: The Ghanaian case|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11062345|journal=International Journal of Environmental Health Research|volume=12|issue=3|pages=277–82|doi=10.1080/0960312021000001032|pmid=12400540|bibcode=2002IJEHR..12..277A |s2cid=43020487|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319194605/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11062345_Infestation_of_fish-culturing_communities_with_fish-borne_bacteria_The_Ghanaian_case|archive-date=19 March 2018|df=dmy-all}}
Ampofo, J. A.; Clerk, G. C. (2003) “Diversity of bacteria in sewage treatment plant used as fish culture pond in southern Ghana.” Aquaculture Research. 34 (8): 667-675{{Cite journal|last1=Ampofo|first1=J A|last2=Clerk|first2=G C|date=2003|title=Diversity of bacteria in sewage treatment plant used as fish culture pond in southern Ghana|journal=Aquaculture Research|language=en|volume=34|issue=8|pages=667–675|doi=10.1046/j.1365-2109.2003.00843.x|issn=1365-2109|df=dmy-all|doi-access=free}}
Ampofo, J. A.; Clerk, G. C. (2003) “Bacterial flora of fish feeds and organic fertilizers for fish culture ponds in Ghana.” Aquaculture Research. 34 (8): 677-680{{Cite journal|last1=Ampofo|first1=J A|last2=Clerk|first2=G C|date=2003|title=Bacterial flora of fish feeds and organic fertilizers for fish culture ponds in Ghana|journal=Aquaculture Research|language=en|volume=34|issue=8|pages=677–680|doi=10.1046/j.1365-2109.2003.00844.x|issn=1365-2109|df=dmy-all|doi-access=free}}
Ameka, G. K.; Clerk, G. C.; Pfeifer, E.; Rutishauser, R. (2003) "Developmental morphology of Ledermanniella bowlingii (Podostemaceae) from Ghana." Plant Systematics and Evolution. 237 (3-4): 165–183{{Cite journal|last1=Ameka|first1=G. K.|last2=Clerk|first2=G. C.|last3=Pfeifer|first3=E.|last4=Rutishauser|first4=R.|date=2003|title=Developmental morphology of Ledermanniella bowlingii (Podostemaceae) from Ghana|journal=Plant Systematics and Evolution|language=en|volume=237|issue=3–4|pages=165–183|doi=10.1007/s00606-002-0253-6|bibcode=2003PSyEv.237..165R |s2cid=2014872|issn=0378-2697}}
Ampofo, J. A.; Clerk, G. C. (2010) “Diversity of Bacteria Contaminants in Tissues of Fish Cultured in Organic Waste-Fertilized Ponds: Health Implications.” The Open Fish Science Journal. 3 (1):142-146{{Cite journal|last1=Ampofo|first1=Joseph|last2=C. Clerk|first2=George|date=2010|title=Diversity of Bacteria Contaminants in Tissues of Fish Cultured in Organic Waste-Fertilized Ponds: Health Implications|df=dmy-all}}
Annang, T. Y.; Yirenya-Tawiah, R. D.; Clerk, G. C. (2012) “Preliminary Studies on the Occurrence of Freshwater Epipelic Algae in the Densu Basin in Southern Ghana.” West African Journal of Ecology. 20 (2): 11–17{{Cite web|url=http://www.iess.ug.edu.gh/people/faculty/dr-dzidzo-yirenya-tawiah|title=Dr. Dzidzo Yirenya-Tawiah {{!}} Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies|website=www.iess.ug.edu.gh|language=en|access-date=2019-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501200049/http://iess.ug.edu.gh/people/faculty/dr-dzidzo-yirenya-tawiah|archive-date=1 May 2019|url-status=live}}
Annang, T. Y.; Yirenya-Tawiah, R. D.; Clerk, G. C.; Smith, T. (2014) "Some aspects of the ecology of freshwater algae in the Densu River and two tributaries in Southern Ghana." International Journal of Environment. 3 (2): 246–257{{Cite journal|last1=Annang |first1=Ted Y. |last2=Yirenya-Tawiah |first2=R. D. |last3=Clerk |first3=G. C. |last4=Smith |first4=Thomas |date=2014-06-19 |title=Some aspects of the ecology of freshwater algae in the Densu River and two tributaries in Southern Ghana |journal=International Journal of Environment |language=en |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=246–257 |doi=10.3126/ije.v3i2.10637 |issn=2091-2854 |doi-access=free }}