PROF. KWESI AKWANSAH ANDAM, A TRUE LEGEND AND FELLOW.

A great number of Ghanaians have a fixation with politicians and politics. We consider politics as a sport. When Ghanaians gather anywhere there is a likelihood that they will be talking about NPP this or NDC that. Even in our sleep we think and dream about politics.

There is a joke making the rounds in Africa, which mocks our excessive preoccupation with politics. It goes like this: “Ghanaians think they invented politics in Africa”! But alas, there is life beyond politics. There are leaders in our communities, corporate world and other institutions who do not necessarily carry the tag politician but whose leadership is helping to transform the institutions they lead and are touching so many lives in a positive way.

One of such leaders is Professor Kwesi Akwansah Andam, the then Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi (KNUST).
Prof Andam was born at Ekumfi Atakwaa in the Central Region on December 15 1946. He attended Ghana Secondary Technical School at Takoradi and later Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

He completed his first degree in Civil Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). KNUST was thus, an institution which gave him so much, and it was an institution he was so much determined to impact. Professor Andam returned to KNUST after his postgraduate studies at University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK. He did so at a time when conditions in the country were as unbearable as any one could imagine.

Prof Andam left University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne with a PhD in Structural Engineering Computer Aided Design (CAD) Division, with special skill in computer applications in structural engineering. At the time, computer applications in civil and structural engineering, as we know today, was just picking up at the world stage. As a structural engineer Prof. Andam’s admiration of architectural beauties was beyond description.

Prof. Andam could have secured a lucrative position with some of the top universities, engineering institutions or companies around the globe. Instead, he chose to come home. When he came, he was determined to stay, no matter what, and stay he did.

Prof. Andam took up appointment as a lecturer with KNUST and was promoted a senior lecturer in 1985, an associate professor in 1992 and a full professor in 1997. Prof. Kwesi Andam was chosen by then President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufour as the Vice Chancellor of KNUST. His four-year term started in September 2002 and ended in September 2006.

When he became Vice Chancellor of KNUST, he made sure he did not forget the poor and under privileged high school graduates from the rural areas. He was determined to pave the way for a reasonable number of graduates from rural underprivileged schools to gain admission to the university. Hence, his establishment of admission quota for graduates from those schools. With this action, Prof Andam, unlike the politicians who just play with empty “promises of fish”, he was showing the rural folks “how to fish” for better future. We may all have our opinions on this matter, but no one can dispute the good intentions of the action.

As a lecturer, a head of department, a dean and a vice chancellor, he was determined and dedicated to genuine courses he believed would impact on the lives of others. He was hard working and never gave up so easily on a genuine course.

Since being appointed, Professor Andam and his team have developed a strategic plan to make the university a real centre of excellence for research, training and innovation. Professor Andam was determined to expand the university and not to shrink it. He was committed to deepening the university’s relationship with the various communities surrounding it as well as improving its links to industry. Professor Andam has made waves ever since he was appointed to head one of the most strategic tertiary institutions in our country.

Prof Andam never forgot his Christian faith as he lived a life, worthy of emulation as a staunch Christian, following the ways of the Bible and making sure the gospel was propagated.

He was a prolific writer who had over 100 science books and papers to his credit. Prof Andam held many positions in and outside the country and was the seventh Vice-Chancellor of KNUST. Prof. Andam who was President of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE) from the year 1999 to 2000 was very active in expanding the Institution’s membership and reaching out to the wider public: in fact, the women’s organization within GhIE, Women In Engineenering (WINE), came into existence because of his suggestion and his encouragement.

Among innovations being contemplated under the administration of Prof. Andam was the proposed introduction of an Aerospace Engineering programme in collaboration with Washington State University, which would be supported by Boeing, the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer.

Prof. Andam died at the 37 Military Hospital on December 14 2007 after a short illness, at the age of 61 years. It is indeed gratifying to note that there are Ghanaians out there, like Professor Andam, who are willing and ready to roll up their sleeves to do their best for their country.

Prof. Andam might not have been an angel. He might not have been without faults but he was a man of vision. Through his visionary thinking he was able to impact positively on KNUST and the nation at large. Let us not forget this great man. We say bravo!

COMPILED BY: ADIAMAH SOLOMON YAYRA

WE ARE THE BEST

We are the best as we have always been, with certain and uncountable records that are straight. The best male hall of residence in West Africa as it stands now, an international honour we received from Waves International, the best Hall in KNUST, the best debating hall, when it comes to sports too, Katanga rules. Currently, Fellows are leading in all disciplines.
Prior to any event or activity, regardless of how fatigable it may be, fellows would be well primed to face it. The above mentioned records were not achieved just by the virtue of the Hall being made of gentlemen, neither was it because Katanga is the Hall of Legends and that they ruled in our favour nor was the judgments influenced by anyone faithful of the hall, but rather these achievements were as a results of the guidance of the Almighty God coupled with the remarkable and assiduous preparations by Fellows, and the inestimable prayers from Father John.

Let me at this point give honour to all those who have been part of the great achievements of the University Hall; the Golden boys who debated enviably to beat the alumni competitors and proved that Katanga is indeed the home of best brains and wrote their names in gold, our field expects led by their head and all those who helped in their own ways in making the University Hall a receiving place; a place where individuals from different backgrounds and cultures are one because of the strong solidarity; KATANGA SOLIDARITY.

The main socket is to draw the devotion of the CHOSEN ONES, in every endeavor, may you be meticulous and also not build up pressure; REST NOT!, kill the daily activities as they come by, REST NOT, FELLOW! That THE LEGEND may LIVE ON Remember that fellows are champions and the best in all walks and endeavors.
Felloooooooooooooooooooooows!!!!!!!!!!!!............chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarge!!!!!!

AHMED AIDOO
JCR SECRETARY 2013/14

 

 

KATANGEEISM, POSITIVE DYNAMISM PITCHED AGAINST VANDALISM & RADICALISM – THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN OLD FELLOW

The writer was admitted into the University of Katanga in the year 2007 and graduated with a BA Katanga Degree in 2011. He was the Choir Master and at the same time JCR Secretary for the 2010/2011 Academic Year. He was a Member of the Hall’s 2010 Constitution Review Committee and a Ranking Member of the Katanga Dame Council from 1^st to 2^nd Year and became the Chair in 3^rd and 4^th Year. He was part of the Hall’s 2010/2011 Best Debating Team that conquered KNUST in that academic year.

He was instrumental in almost all “actions” that happened at his time and earned the accolade “Strong Boy” largely because of his high involvement in Katanga matters. He was one of the Students of the Hall, (though was only two months old on campus), who demonstrated in 2007 for more taxis on campus. He had several engagements with the University Authorities and Committees of Enquiries in respect of matters related to the University Hall. After school, he did his National Service as a Research Assistant on campus and resided at the Shaba Province and was the Liaison for the Students of the Hall and the Alumni, Kumasi Chapter. He was present at Manhyia every Friday to support the students to maintain the morale in the Hall.

While his experiences may not compare with the rich ones of other Senior Fellows and Past Students of the Hall, he hopes his background qualifies him to provide a candid reflection on what Positive Dynamism and for that matter Katangeeism stands for.
   

The Philosophy of the University Hall provides as follows: “the destiny of this University lies with solidarity, positive dynamism and for that matter in Katangeeism”.  Therefore, critically speaking, Katangeeism simply means solidarity and positive dynamism. But has this any connotation with vandalism otherwise called destruction/violence and radicalism (having extreme views)?  I rule out completely vandalism from my definition of Katangeeism because there is nothing positively dynamic in rooting for violence or destruction for its own sake. But I include radicalism as central to Katangeeism and what makes us radical is that, we think about the University in a manner beyond the level of an ordinary student. However,  I qualify further that, as David Bromwich describes Abraham Lincoln, Katangeese are “constitutional” radicals.

We are not vandals. We are never destructive. Katangeeism excludes everything vandalism for we are never interested in destruction, or violence, though unfortunately, in some cases, the after notes of some of our actions suggest so and this is where I think, as Radically Sober Intellectuals, we need to sit back and take stock of the aftermaths of our inherently non-evil actions and let the “dynamism” leg of Katangeeism become evident.  I reason that, the dynamics in students’ activism have significantly changed with time and developments. Accordingly, if Katangeeism was to serve its intended goal of safeguarding “the destiny” of the University, then it cannot operate as it did 50 years ago, or in my immediate past generation (2007-2011).

Katangeeism is never about alcoholism, destruction, confrontation nor violence. Not at all! Yes it includes meeting as a family on Fridays after a stressful week to destress and familiarize but not just that. It also importantly means academic excellence – the reason why any class except first class is abominable, although second class upper is also appreciated. Katangeeism is about thinking radically different from all the other students of the University and using the products of these thoughts to advance the interest of all students – this is why it is un-Katanga to hurt in any manner, any student of the University whichever Hall he or she is a resident of. Katangeeism is about bending the rules and regulations of the University for positive and sometimes funny reasons without necessarily breaking them – this makes us Constitutional Radicals.

The aftermaths of Katangeeism brings about innovative policies, projects and events meant to advance students interests and project the image of our Hall and the University at large. It should be fighting for things like the Students’ Clinic in 2006/2007, fighting for more taxis on campus which  eventually led to the addition of shuttles in 2007/2008, forcing the University to abandon its policy to compulsorily sell neck ties and scarfs at neckcutting prices to students in 2008/2009, pressurising  the University to bring back photocopying joints in the Halls in 2009/2010 when they attempted to remove them from the Halls.  

Positive Dynamism and for that matter Katangeeism is defined to include things like fighting for students’ safety and rooting out careless driving and overspeeding which led to the construction of speed bumps all over campus, zebra crossings and the introduction of one way driving on campus in 2010/2011, causing to be built a stair case at Paa Joe Roundabout, behind UNITY HALL to allow for safe crossing from that spot in 2010/2011, petitioning against “Only Dropping Services” of Campus Taxi Drivers in 2010/2011, winning KNUST Inter-Hall Debate Competion for four consecutive years (2007-2011), becoming the First Hall of Residence in Ghana to play football match with Kumasi Asante Kotoko in 2011 (a match which had the ace sports journalist, Kwabena Yeboah as one of the spectators), becoming the First Hall to Perform Live

Charging on the Biggest Entertainment Show in Ghana, TV3 Music Music in 2011, becoming the Best Male Hall in West Africa in 2011/2012  etc etc.

The exploits include doing  funny but memorable things like naming GUSSS Hostel as Brunei, Ghana Hostels as GAZA, the Road to the Faculty as Mecca Road, Royal Parade Grounds as Haiti Grounds, Law Faculty as The Hague and the current naming of the Commercial Area Shopping Mall, Jubile Mall as Dubai Mall. Enjoy yourselves and help other students to laugh their stress away during your Hall Festivals with funny dresses like Kaba & Slit, Girlie-Girlie, FCUBE, Zulu etc etc.  They are part of Katangeeism but please dont be caught for indescent exposure! Remember, to secure permit for the Proce and please leave the flowerpots of the Halls alone. Also do not touch the fish in Indece Pond!

That is all that Positive Dynamism and Katangeeism stand for – advancing the cause of students and humanity. Its all about “misbehaving” (how students who envy us call our funnily seductive character) on campus but within the confines of the rules and regulations. We bend the University laws, but we do not break them. We respect the authorities yet we challenge them.   

The destruction, violence, vandalism, confrontations and mistakes of our time are not for your emulation but for your guidance in order for you to avoid the problems we had. We are hoping to hear more on a “Learned Katanga” that is advancing the cause of students and safeguarding the destiny of the University.  

Long live the University of Katanga!!!!

Long Live the University Hall
Long Live Fellows!!!
Rest Not the Chosen Ones!!!

FESTIVAL GODWIN BOATENG

2010/2011 Choir Master & Hall Secretary
Master Student of Global Studies & Int. Dev’t Studies,
Roskilde University, Denmark
Bfsvl1988@gmail.com / bfsvl@yahoo.com

KATANGA HAS LOST A GEM

Death has scraped another fellow off the map, leaving us in our phantasmagoria as a rare gem falls into the deep, as a result propinquity no longer exists between us, but fellows fellowshipping faithfully first, forever fruitfully firmly remain. It is in this understanding of brotherliness that we acknowledge this exceptional man in an exceptional way.

The state of every Fellow’s heart became entirely deplorable upon hearing of the death of P. V. Obeng’s demise. As a former hall president of the University Hall, Katanga, and a strong Fellow he served not just his hall but rose to serve the entire KNUST as the SRC president. This showed his understanding for Katangeism and the need for student activism, realising that there’s need to fight for the cause of others and not just his own.

Despite these successes he still realised the need to serve an entire nation to create change. He rested not in his service not just to the nation but to KNUST and many other organisations to ensure the legend lives on.

Birthed in 1947, P. V. Obeng was a politician, a mechanical engineer, and chairman of the University Council, KNUST. He has also served as chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC). He was also the chief consultant and chairman of OB associates. He was also a knight.

This short eulogy is for us to say to him, that indeed, a man he was but his legend will forever remain.

                                        
BY: KOTEY EDWIN DZANIE

       GENERAL SECRETARY