Dr. Tony Oteng-Gyasi Delivers 2023 Alumni Lecture

A Former Chairman of the University of Ghana Council and Founder of Tropical Cable & Conductor Ltd, Dr. Tony Oteng-Gyasi, has delivered the 2023 Alumni Lecture on the topic, “The Fault Dear Brutus ...” at the Great Hall of the University. Dr. Oteng-Gyasi is a product of the Department of Economics and the then Faculty of Law.

In his thought-provoking presentation, Dr. Tony Oteng-Gyasi, drew on examples from the history of Ghana, and illustrated through his well-articulated story telling prowess, how the actions of indigenous Ghanaians have highly contributed to, particularly the economic and policy challenges facing the country. He cited the role of timber loggers and millers who resisted efforts to ban the exportation of logs in the 1980s. “We should have heeded expert advice and banned the export of round logs. Instead, we allowed populist commentators to dictate policy,” he lamented, drawing a parallel to the current challenges faced in the government's campaign against illegal mining.

Dr. Tony Oteng-Gyasi strongly advocated for increased collaboration between academia and industry as an immediate step towards developing solutions to the long-standing problems faced by the country, such as the challenges in implementing the provisions of the Procurement Law.

“It is time for behavioural scientists and sociologists to join forces with procurement professionals and our lawmakers in reviewing the Public Procurement Law and fashion a new one that will serve our purposes. Game theory and optimization techniques can help design a more efficient Public Procurement system and Law”, Dr. Oteng-Gyasi said.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, who chaired the lecture, commended Dr. Tony Oteng-Gyasi for holding up a mirror to society, as a people and as a nation, to appreciate the bare facts surrounding Ghana’s economic development from a pragmatic point of view. She acknowledged the recommendation of academia and industry, collaborating extensively to fashion a new procurement system that is efficient and provides value for money.

She also thanked the Alumni Association for providing the platform for distinguished alumni of the University to share insightful perspectives on very interesting topics of national and sometimes global interest through the annual Alumni Lecture Series.

The Chairman of the University of Ghana Alumni Association, Madam Doris Kisiwa Ansah, said the University places great importance on the Alumni Lectures, adding that, the alumni of the University were active members of the community who have contributed to numerous infrastructural projects in the University.

She revealed that the Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has pledged to build a Hot-Spot Comfort Zone in collaboration with the Alumni Council, to enhance students experience as part of the University's three-pronged technology-driven initiatives, championed by the Vice-Chancellor.

Present at the lecture were four former Vice-Chancellors of the University, Prof. Akilagpa Sawyerr, Prof. Ivan Addae-Mensah, Prof. C.N.B Tagoe and Prof. Ernest Aryeetey. Also present were Prof. Kwesi Yankah, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor, members of the Alumni Council, Ministers of State, Heads of Corporate Ghana and state institutions, traditional leaders, Provosts, Deans, Directors, Faculty members, alumni and students of the University and the general public.

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