Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana salutes Professor Kwapong

Accra, April 27, GNA –
Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, welcomed
the late Professor Alex Adum Kwapong for his outstanding contributions to the
the advancement of knowledge and learning within and beyond the walls of the University.

Speaking to
inaugural session of Professor Kwapong's lecture series "Nature Speaks," a
new initiative co-convened by the United Nations Institute for Conservation of Natural Resources.
Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) and the University of Ghana stated that the lecture series
was a timely initiative that could potentially contribute significantly to the
the gap between African scientific production and Africa's development strategies.

The lecture series was
organized in the honor of the late Prof. Kwapong, First Vice Chancellor of Ghana
the University of Ghana and the first African Vice-Rector of the United Nations
University.

The conference on
theme "Innovation, infrastructure, technology and the promise of renewed growth
for Natural Resource Management in Africa – Blind or Transformational Alley
Change? "Was introduced by Dr. Frannie Léautier, Chief Operating Officer of
Bank for Trade and Development of Eastern and Southern Africa (TDB).

Prof. Owusu noted that
Professor Kwapong's UNU-INRA conferences supported the mission of the
The University of Ghana, which has sought to create a supportive environment
makes the University and its constituents more and more relevant at national and
regional development through research, teaching and advanced learning.

"This lecture series
It's about opening up an intellectual space where we can debate
convincing development issues and I want to reiterate that this conference
The series is at the heart of our most precious mission, which is our quest for
know, "he said.

"As a continent with
complex challenges and limited resources, we have considerable interest in
make judicious use of scientific know-how as an essential tool for achieving
significant and sustainable growth. "

Prof Owusu said
science, technology and innovation have a vital role to play in
range of interdependent global challenges such as poverty reduction,
sustainable development and sustainability of the environment in the context of a
climate.

He said the layout
and expansion of investment in infrastructure – tangible and intangible –
was a prerequisite for the sustainable management of natural resources and
inclusive growth in Africa.

He noted that
growth based on new technologies has necessitated new and innovative clbades of
infrastructure: digital connectivity, broadband communication networks, smart
renewable energy networks, sustainable transport systems that implied
development of new or renovated infrastructure.

He said the role of
universities and think tanks as guardians of the values ​​of free inquiry and the
The paramount importance of scientific evidence was more critical than ever.

Dr. Léautier also
congratulated Professor Kwapong for his tremendous contribution to the promotion of
knowledge and education around the world.

She said African
leaders needed to be well aware of specific knowledge and a skill set for
be effective in the management of natural resources; adding that "we can learn from
experiences between sectors and countries, and engage with different types and
forms of solutions to complexity ".

Mrs. Patricia
Appiah-Agyei, Deputy Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
stated that the lecture series was taking place in the context of a nation that
determined to pursue a program of rapid transformation from poverty to prosperity,
by identifying new paths of development and exploiting the opportunities that
science, innovation and technology have made it possible.

She said the
the government was fully aware of the important role of innovation and technology
open the door to future economic growth and a tangible demonstration of
this commitment was the decision to devote one percent of gross domestic value
(GDP) to research and development.

Ms. Opokua Kwapong,
one of Professor Kwapong's six daughters on behalf of their family expressed
gratitude to the University of Ghana and UNU-INRA for the lecture series at
honor of their late father.

Ms. Kwapong, who is
Pepsicle's Vice President, Research Development, integrated into the
United States, announced the disappearance of their mother, Ms. Evelyn Kwapong, who
took place during the Easter holidays.

GNA