ON Thursday, November 2, 2017, we heard the sad news of the death of renowned Ghanaian Professor of Mathematics, Professor Francis Kofi Ampenyin Allotey. The news was shocking to many who heard it, but more especially to those in the academia, looking at the enormous role that Ghana’s first Mathematics professor was playing in the academic field and in the development of the country.
IN fact, Today is saddened by the news of Prof Allottey’s death. Professor Allotey’s name is widely known and respected in the scientific and academic world. Obviously, we have lost a genius, one who will be dearly missed in the academic world.
AS a Professor of Mathematics, a scholar and a Nuclear Physicist, Prof Allottey did a lot in his field and his contributions towards the development of this country cannot be underestimated.
IT is in the light of the above and the sad news of Prof Allottey’s death that we at Today are dedicating our comment to this great son of Ghana. Below is a biography of Professor Allottey.
Biography
Professor Francis Kofi Ampenyin Allotey, the sweet-scented name that has for two decades and more, filled the scientific and academic world with its fragrance is a Professor of Mathematics, Scholar, Nuclear Physicist and a Consultant in Informatics for Development.
Prof Allotey, a prodigy born in August 1932 to a humble parentage at Saltpond in the Central Region of Ghana, received his early education at the Ghana National College among the 1952 pioneer group. He pursued further studies at the University Tutorial College, London Borough Polytechnic and London Imperial College of Science and Technology where he obtained the then coveted Diploma of Imperial College (London)in 1960.
He returned in the same year to take up a lectureship position in the Department of Mathematics at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He had a distinguished academic career at theKNUST rising from the position of a lecturer to a full Professor of Mathematics and Head of Department within seven years. This was after his return in 1966 from study leave at Princeton University where he obtained his Master’s and Doctorate degrees.
Founder and First Director of the KNUST Computer Centre, he was the first to introduce computer education into Ghana. The Faculty Board between 1971 and 1980 elected him four times as the Dean of the Faculty of Science. During this same period, he was elected five times as a Representative of the Academic Staff. He was ultimately appointed as the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University in 1978. He became a world authority and an instant fame with his work on Soft X-Ray Spectroscopy which established the principle widely known as the “Allotey Formalism” for which he received the Prince Philip Gold Medal Award in 1973.
At the national level he has held the positions of Chairman, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Chairman, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Chairman of the Management Board, Soil Research Institute, Chairman, Ghana Technical Committee on Nuclear Energy, Vice-President, Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, President, Ghana Institute of Physics, National Vice-President Ghana Science Association, President, Mathematical Association of Ghana, Vice-Chairman of the Science and Technology Sector, National Development Commission,Consultant, National Committee of Curriculum Development, Founder and National Coordinator, Ghana Energy Research Group, President, Ghana Institute of Physics and Member National Energy Commission, just to mention a few.
At the international level he has given several seminars in Universities in USA, Europe, Asia and Africa on his research work and has participated and contributed in many international conferences and symposia by invitation. He has published many papers in international journals. He has acted as external examiner and also as an external assessor for professorial assessments for universes inside and outside Ghana.
THUS we at Today pray that our good Lord will continue to keep our good Professor Allottey safe. Rest in peace Prof. Allottey!!!