Ibrahim Ghanem
Ibrahim Ghanem was born in Egypt. After obtaining his BSc. from the University of Hilliapolis in Cairo, Egypt, he came to Canada to study for his Ph.D. at McGill University.
From 1963 to 1969, Dr. Ghanem was an Associate Professor of Soil Science in Alexandria, Egypt. Upon completion of a Post Doctorate at the University of Guelph he joined the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in 1970 as the Agricultural Laboratory Supervisor and the Head of the Land Resources Division.
In 1978, Dr. Ghanem was appointed Associate Director of the Plant Industry Branch, where he upgraded the soil testing service in the province, initiated the feed testing service, developed a Land Evaluation Program and implemented the Farm Land Identification Program.
Dr. Ghanem was appointed Director of the Land Resources Branch in 1990 with responsibility for the development of the Agricultural Land Use Strategy, the preparation of the Agricultural Land Use Policy and related legislation. He assisted in the establishment of the Eastern Canada Soil and Water Conservation Centre in Grand Falls.
In 1995, Dr. Ghanem was appointed Executive Director of the Planning and Development Branch serving in this position until his retirement in June 1997. He advanced the agricultural sector by dealing with issues relating to training, immigration and industry expansion. His involvement in the development of the New Brunswick Biotechnology and Technological Innovations Strategy resulted in the creation of a biotechnology centre of excellence - BioAtlantech Inc.
Dr. Ghanem has always recognized the importance of agricultural organizations and has helped many organizations to develop and secure their future by putting ideas into action, while always showing respect for both linguistic communties in the Province. Since retiring, Dr. Ghanem has been active as an agricultural consultant.
Dr. Ghanem is a founding member of the Fredericton North Rotary Club, Past President of the Multicultural Association of Fredericton and the New Brunswick Multicultural Council, served as Chairman of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Multiculturalism and was the recipient of the Governor General Commemorative Medal for Community Development.
In 1989 he was awarded the James Robb Award from the New Brunswick Federation of Agriculture and in 1995 the Distinguished Services Award from the New Brunswick Institute of Agrologists.
Dr. Ghanem and his wife Sally live in Fredericton and have two daughters and two grandchildren. Nominated by la Federation des agriculteurs et agricultrices francophones du Nouveau- Brunswick, Abe Ghanem's many contributions to the advancement of soil science merit recognition in the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame.