Exhibition of academic works of Prof. Gyapong opens
The published academic works of Professor John Owusu Gyapong, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development , University of Ghana are being exhibited at the Balme Library ahead of his inaugural lecture on Thursday, March 1, 2012.
The exhibition was opened jointly by three eminent persons, Prof. Ernest Aryeetey, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Ofosu-Amaah, Chairperson for the Opening Ceremony, and Dr. Margaret Gyapong, wife of Prof. Gyapong.
Prof. Gyapong has grouped the exhibits, spanning 20 years of work from 1992 to 2012, into seven types, including “Vitamin A”, “Lymphatic Filariasis” popularly known as Elephantiasis, Malaria, Tuberculosis, and Neglected Tropical Diseases such as “Trachoma”, “Onchocerciasis”, and “Schistosomiasis”. The other groups of exhibits were the “Mixed Bag” comprising works on Lung Cancer, Effects of Smoking, and Maternal Health, etc, and “Picture Exhibits”.
Prof. Gyapong expressed gratitude to the University for the opportunity to exhibit his works as well as to individuals who assisted him to mount the exhibition, mentioning in particular Dr. Amoah Larbi, Deputy Director of the Institute of African Studies.
Welcoming guests to the Ceremony the University Librarian, Prof. Edwin Badu commended the School of Public Health (SPH) and its Dean, Prof. Fred Binka, for sponsorship the exhibition. He entreated other Departments to support the Balme Library to make it easier to mount future exhibitions.
In his remarks Prof. Aryeetey expressed delight about the exhibitions being mounted on the occasion of the inaugural lectures, noting that the on-going exhibition by Prof. Gyapong was the fourth after his own and those of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Kweku Osam and the Head of the Department of Linguistics, Prof. Kofi Agyekum.
Addressing concerns of the University Librarian, the Vice-Chancellor commended the Balme Library for its services to the University and wider community and pledged support to the University of Ghana Library Services in a structured manner.
Prof. Aryeetey expressed high regard for Prof. Gyapong’s works and credentials as a public health practitioner and researcher, adding that his efforts have brought relief to many Ghanaian households. The Vice-Chancellor was also optimistic that Prof. Gyapong’s work would be a testament of what the University could do for the nation. He therefore advised senior members and students to take a cue from him.
Prof. Aryeetey also expressed admiration for the SPH and praised the contribution of Prof. Ofosu-Amaah as its first Director. He said, adding that the School had the potential to become the flagship institution of the University of Ghana.
In his remarks, the Chairperson noted that exhibiting one’s works was a “harrowing thing” and thus commended Prof. Gyapong as well as his partners for the endeavour. Prof. Ofosu-Amaah called on all academics not to relent in their efforts to write and publish their works and subsequently get critiqued, since that was the sequence of knowledge creation and development.
The large audience from within and outside the University community who graced the ceremony included Prof. Kweku Osam, Mr. J.M. Budu, Rev. Prof. Cephas Omenyo, Prof. Samuel Agyei-Mensah, Prof. Kofi Agyekum, Prof. Fred Binka, the Dean of International Programmes, Prof. Naa Adamafio, the Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, and the Director of Finance, Mr. Richard Boapea, as well as senior members and staff of the Balme Library and the SPH.
By Pascal Kelvin Kudiabor